my glove box wont open

There might be screws on the bottom side of the door. Your other option is to break the door off and buy another from eBay. You're going to need a new door anyways. How valuable is your stuff in the box?

carry a small pen knife, not too rigid to slip around and underneath the pawl, inspect the mechanism and replace the .25 cent item-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-MK3-Jetta-Golf-Glove-Compartment-Door- Glove-Box-Door-93-98-Lower-Dash-Black-/290800545343? pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CMake %3AVolkswagen%7CModel%3AJetta&hash=item43b5102e3f&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-MK3-CABRIO-GOLF-GTI-JETTA-VR6- RARE-EURO-GLOVEBOX-GLOVE-BOX-/121086920098? pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1997%7CMake %3AVolkswagen%7CModel%3AJetta&hash=item1c3157c5a2&vxp=mtr

Brute force, or drill through center of latch then replace latch if the more gentle methods don't work.

The latch had a plastic lever that extended into a rectangular shaped opening that is pushed to the right, and this action pulls in the plastic rods inwards, releasing the glove box lid. Insert the end of a screwdriver into the rectangular opening and push it to the right (quarter inch). This will release the glove box lid. I had the same problem with my 1998 Jetta.