Some American companies have refused to promote women into positions of high authority in their international operations in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Their rationale is that business will be hurt because some foreign customers do not wish to deal with women. It might be contended that this practice is justified out of respect for the customs of countries that discourage women from entering business and the professions.

Some people feel that such practices are wrong and that gender should not to be used in formulating job qualification, and further, that customer preferences should not justify gender discrimination. Present and defend your views on whether or not this discrimination is justified.

Use the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics (see http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html) to respond to these ethical situations.