000642-024

How do Western cultures affect Vietnamese family life?

Introduction
As Vietnamese always say Gia nh l t bo ca x hi [Family is the cell of the society], Vietnamese family plays an important role in each beings development, which then leads to the development of the whole society. Family carries and enhances traditions through generations, respecting the culture, and preserving the national charater. Vietnamese family through time has been influenced by different cultures and religions to become tradition and cannot be separated from the culture, nation and country of Vietnam. Since 1986, when the communist government of Vietnam initiated the economic reforms named i Mi, encouraging family planning, modernization, individualism and westernization (Dean)1, the Vietnamese family has been affected on all aspects, thus has come under intense pressure of diminishing the traditional lifestyle. Together with other social changes, i Mi has lead to dramatically increasing migration to urban areas, especially the younger generations who migrate either voluntarily or are sent out by the family to gain higher education or to earn a living for the family. This has led to many concerns in the influences on traditional family life, the change from extended to nuclear family as well as the changes in womens role in the society.

The survey conducted received responses from 30 people of three different age groups: 56.7% less than 20 years old, 33.3% between 20 and 60, and 10% older than 60 years old. All of the answerers are from Kinh i.e. the most populous ethnic minority group in Vietnam, who are now studying and working either in Ho Chi Minh City or in a Western country. Regarding the effects of Western cultures on Vietnamese family life, 47% of them believe that they are somewhat influential and somewhat positive; no one said that they had seen no effects 1 Dean, Peter. Focus study: Family life in Vietnam. Georges River College, Oatley Senior Campus. Nd. 1

000642-024 occurring. The most common change is the more modern and freer thoughts as a result of the gradual disappearance of the traditional framework of household rules that, according to them, do not seem to be very appropriate to the current society. Similarly, the answerers also claimed that nowadays womens role has changed somewhat but overall was still the same; 47% think that these changes are somewhat positive for women since they are now more complete for not only being housewives, but also being involved in social work. Besides, other interviews were carried out with 16 people of the same age groups, 62.5% (10 out of 16) of them are of families that migrated from other parts of Vietnam such as Haiphong, Hanoi, Soc Trang etc. either before or a few years after their births. The feedback is based on the same idea of the coexistence between the old traditions and the new points of view of the young generations; most interviewees think that all changes are both positive and negative.

Traditional Vietnamese Family Life

2

000642-024 The family unit has been the foundation of Vietnamese society and culture for thousands of year. Traditional Vietnamese family is largely affected by Confucianism due to a long time of being dominated by the Chinese. Confucianism is a complex Chinese ethical and philosophical system that influenced the culture and history of East Asia, thus it also plays an important part in the traditional Vietnamese cultures and moral standards. According to professor Trn nh Hu, a Confucian scholar, Confucianism appreciates the origin which is the family. Building a united family is not only for oneself or other family members, but also important to build the society. (Trn)

Structure, Roles and Family Relationships

The structure of the basic Vietnamese family unit is very complicated in terms of extended family, which is, according to Ronald Cima, the dominant family structure that includes three or four generations consisting of grandparents, father and mother, children and grandchildren, all living under the same roof (Cima). A family is considered prosperous when there are many descendants, thus in the past people were very proud of a dense but harmonious family. Everyone shares any kind of prosperity or financial gain for the security and welfare of the group. However, since conflicts can easily occur in a large family, Confucianism imposes rites based on which members behave in order to maintain the peace and good among family relationships. As a result, gia nh n np or gia nh l ngha [a respectable family] is formed. All members of the household live under the authority of the oldest male, and all contribute to the income of the family. The fathers role is the head and the pillar of the family: hes the one who controls and officially makes decisions, yet he must always consult the grandparents before doing anything because they have lived long and thus are wise and experienced; this is a way to show respect towards older members, who also have a lot of 3

000642-024 power, of the family. Traditionally, there is an expression Du con r khch [the daughterin-law is of the family, the son-in-law is a stranger]. Hence if a family has many daughters, its considered unfortunate because the family will lose a member when shes married. The wifes main tasks are doing chores, taking care of the husband and children as well as the parents-inlaw. The oldest son is very important, as he will become the next inheritor of the family who is responsible to bring honor to his ancestors. Hierarchy is a part of l ngha [respectability] in the traditional family. Confucianism mentions three moral relationships: father-offspring, husband-wife and siblings. In each of those, there are superior and subordinate roles, meaning the one below must comply to the one above. People in Vietnamese society are evaluated through the parents: a good person is of educated parents, a spoiled child has irresponsible parents; for this reason Vietnamese parents tend to apply strict parenting to educate their children.

Principles and Values

One of the four fundamental principles of Vietnamese culture is allegiance to the family2, which is also considered the most important factor because the family is the centre of the individuals existence as well as the foundation of Vietnamese society. (Dean) 1. The whole family is seen as a single unit, which brings forward the idea of collective identity. Whatever one member achieves, it belongs to the family, not that individual. With the common expression mt git mu o hn ao nc l [blood is thicker than water], family ties have been given a higher position and everyone thinks of his or her family firstly before doing anything. Professor Nguyn Vn Canh of Stanford University also supports this idea:

2 Four fundamental principles or values of Vietnamese culture: allegiance to the family, yearning for a good name, love of learning, respect for other people (Vietnamese Culture and Tradition Editors) 4

000642-024 One being represents his familys name so any behavior that either brings reputation or disgrace will affect the whole family. He is willing to stand all difficulties for the better of other members, especially for the older ones; people are brought up to identify themselves with and take care of the family rather than follow individualism. (Nguyn) 3 Traditional family values are accomplished by the fulfillment of traditional roles, not only the parental role, but also the childrens role in the family. Since the family is the foremost institution for the education of children, the concept of filial piety is constituted: children are taught to obey and respect their parents, as a way to be thankful for the debt of birth, their upbringing and education. People believe that the teaching of filial piety is preparation for serving the ruler of the state (Zeng Zi Chapter IX) 4, so disobedience can result in any physical punishment from parents, which is totally acceptable in the Vietnamese tradition. Professor Breeman stated that "harsh discipline and beatings did not constitute abuse of a child, but its reverse: loving care, concern and attention" (Vietnamese Culture and Tradition Editors). As a part of collective identity, children sacrifice for parents, support and take good care of them in their old age. The compensation continues even after the deaths of the parents through carrying out traditions and worshiping ancestors. Such practice will then be continued by later generations; thus its very easy to see many people in rural areas refuse to leave their hometown because of this duty. Due to these strict rules and standards, any Vietnamese person who fails to fulfill his or her responsibility will be excluded from the family, and sometimes, the community.

Rural Urban Migration

3 Nguyn, Vn Canh. Gia nh truyn thng Vit Nam (Traditional Vietnamese Family). y ban mc v gia nh. N.d. <http://www.ubmvgiadinh.org/?open=contents&display=2&id=1605> 4 Zeng, Zi. Great Learning. Trans. Ezra Pound. University of Washington Book Store. 1970. Great Learning is one of the Four Books, Chinese classic texts illustrating the core value and belief systems in Confucianism. 5

000642-024 The adoption of i Mi has created many opportunities for the investment and development of domestic and foreign industrial firms; however, as there is an unbalanced spread of industrialization, people from the rural areas migrate to urban areas to look for jobs and earn money as well as for better education for their children. Such migration not only results in overpopultated developing cities, but also contributes to marital disruption and parenting role difficulties. According to the survey conducted, about 62.5% of the answerers are either migrants from other cities and provinces or those whose parents had migrated to Ho Chi Minh City prior to their birth. A report of the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Welfare shows that difficult economic conditions in the recent years has increased the unemployment rate to 4.65% in 2010, which reduces further the chance of getting jobs of migrants 5. Thus many male migrants with urgent need of money tend to look for jobs at construction sites or security companies to work as security guards; while female migrants start their own peddling businesses selling food or work as waitresses in restaurants. Besides, its not easy for migrated students to get into high schools or universities in these cities, as they have to sit a stressful entrance exam with very high competing rate. The ability to afford extra classes gives city students a higher chance to pass. With the rapid social change, its more likely that rural families are the more traditional units of the society, thus the decision for one member to migrate usually requires long consideration. Migrants tend to be men as they are able to make more money, and it would also be more productive if women stay and manage households. Talking about female migration, Trn Th Vn Anh from the Hanoi-based Institute for Family and Gender Studies notes that husbands left behind may feel that they are losing power and the attention of those around 5 The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Welfare (B Lao ng, Thng Binh v X Hi). The Attitude of Vietnamese Labor and Society 2009/10 (Xu Hng Lao ng v X Hi Vit Nam 2009/10). The International Labor Organization Country Office for Vietnam. Hanoi. Jun. 2010. 6

000642-024 them and their masculinity may feel threatened due to womens remittances as they now earn money and get involved more in decision-making (Locke, Nguyen and Nguyen 18). Nonetheless, since city life offers a lot of freedom, marital disruption is quite unavoidable unless the duration of migration isnt too long with frequent visits. Increasing betrayal happens as more men illegally start a second family in the city. In addition, single migrated women can find city men more attractive so they get married really fast with a belief in a more comfortable life, and later also divorce more quickly. The 2004 Migration Survey suggests that the experience of marital disruption for migrants is strongly affected by gender:

Not only 2% of women migrants have disrupted marriages at first move and those who are single marry more quickly and more likely to experience marital disruption than their male counterparts. It is possible that migration offers female divorcees a means of escaping criticism in the village. 6 Nguyn Vn Bch, the author of n b ngoi tnh Mt cn bnh thi i (Adulterous Women A Disease of Times), said in her article It is the nature of Vietnamese women to patiently endure. Then are the aforementioned adulterous wives still Vietnamese women? (Nguyn) 7 Despite the fact that divorce is culturally discouraged, it seems to be the only choice that is better for women from rural areas than being criticized as n b h (spoilt woman) for having an affair while migrating. As mentioned before, parenting role difficulties arise due to migration because both father and mother play an important part in childrens development. There is a common belief that the fathers main role is educating children, especially sons by being an example, and is significant during adolescence since they provide discipline in the family and are stricter; while 6 The 2004 Migration Survey: Internal Migration and Related Life Course Events. Hanoi. 7 Nguyn, Vn Bch. n b ngoi tnh Mt cn bnh thi i (Adulterous Women A Disease of Times). 5 Dec.1996. 7

000642-024 the mother is responsible for good manners and for bringing up her daughters to be good female role models. (Locke, Nguyen and Nguyen 23) Therefore, the absence of either parent creates strains for the other: without the father, less supervision is provided and its hard for women to educate their sons the way the men do.

Change from Extended to Nuclear Family

Due to the desire for a good name, the family traditionally placed great emphasis on the extended family, however its more common to see the nuclear family, consisting of only parents and children, in Vietnamese society nowadays under i Mi. A survey conducted in Hanoi in 1995 also showed that nuclear families accounted for 66% of all family types, while the traditional three-generation household accounted for 33%. (Dean)8 Regarding this situation, journalist V Thu H of Viet Nam News claims that As the country changes in the midst of globalization, Vietnamese families are adjusting with shifting values (V). The Western-style nuclear family is becoming more and more common in Vietnam as it has considerably increased up to 77.3% of young married couples who choose to live separately from the family. (Dean)7 The main reason for this change is to live more independently than in an extended family, because an individual no longer belongs solely to the family, but hes one of the society as well. The nuclear family structure is a great option for him to have more freedom, to be active and independent of other members. Many couples also believe that by doing this, they can raise their children without too much interference from the parents as they are afraid that their parents-in-law could be like other Vietnamese grandparents who care and protect the children so much that their ability to teach them might be hindered. (V) Significant social changes leave behind the older generations so conflicts between the young and old ones usually occur, which is why this type of family structure is a preferable 8 Dean, Peter. Change in Vietnamese Family. Penhurst Girls High School. Nd. 8

000642-024 choice to reduce generation gaps. Another advantage can be the empowerment of the womens voice in the family as its hard for the only man in the family to make every decision himself. Nevertheless, one of the biggest issues associated with nuclear family structure is the hardship for the elderly because less time is spent by the children to take care of them, while there are few retirement homes 9 and the social welfare policy in Vietnam is not so strict. The case is even worse to those who are left in the poor conditions of rural areas when their descendants migrated to cities for job opportunities and a better life. Moreover, parents with money burden dont spend as much time for their children as they would like to, letting them be more exposed to social evils. Dr. Trn Th Nhung of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said: Making enough money to survive challenged intra-family relationships... Having pressure on family life due to the money burden also led to rising domestic violence and divorce rates, which had very negative consequences for childrens development. (Locke, Nguyen and Nguyen 14) The break-up of the traditional family has threatened the collective identity of Vietnamese families, as each member is likely to follow individualism. For instance, it is hard nowadays to see nuclear family members together at home for dinner. Sometimes parents come home very late from work, and children attend extra courses after school till 9pm; fast food becomes a convenient choice for busy people, yet somewhat in conflict with Vietnamese traditions respect of family meal. Evidently, Western cultures are not simply introduced to Vietnam, but they come along with other habits for a modern hurried life.

9 Ho Chi Minh City Yellow Pages 2011. Vietnam Directory and Yellow Pages 2 Jsc (VYP). Mar 2011. In this telephone directory, there are only 4 official retirement homes listed in Ho Chi Minh City. 9

000642-024

Change in Womens Role

Vietnamese women are the basic force and developing factor of Vietnamese society. However under i Mi, Vietnamese womens role has changed significantly: they have become more confident and self-motivated to prove their ability to Vietnam society in general and in their family in particular. Therefore, there is fear that they may lose the traditional values of Vietnamese women.

Traditional Vietnamese Women

Traditionally, Vietnamese women were restricted from social works but, instead, were expected to obey tam tng, t c the criteria for women based on Confucianism. Such system advocates a family with a man as the owner (Trn), thus women were never in charge of the family and had to follow tam tng Three Subjections of Women: Ti gia tng ph; Xut gi tng phu; Phu t tng t. The woman had to obey three men in her life: she obeys her father when she is young; as soon as she gets married, she obeys her husband; if the husband dies, she obeys the oldest son. Such rules prevented women from having significant rights in the society and made married women totally belong to the family-in-law; as soon as she was there, despite the good or bad conditions, she couldnt rely on anyone anymore. (Phan 78) The other criterion, t c includes Cng, Dung, Ngn, Hnh The Four Virtues. Cng is the skillfulness of women in her housework: they should know how to arrange things effectively, to be considerate and able to bring up good children. In the old days, this also included needlework, embroidering, cooking, selling and maybe cm k thi ha [the Four Areas of Knowledge: music, chess, poetry, drawing] for high-class women. Dung is the modesty in appearance, which is the harmony of physical and inner beauty. Ngn is to be soft-spoken and educated in her language, especially when persuading husbands, educating children and communicating with the outsiders. Finally, Hnh means the dignity of women 10

000642-024 embracing honest and loyal behaviors towards their husbands and children, respectfulness, benevolence, sacrifice and mature. (Phan 77) Male dominance was strongly imposed on the society so women were restricted from schooling. Domestic science was considered the most important lesson to learn because a resourceful girl would have a higher chance to marry a good husband; besides that was also the standard that men at the time were looking for. Parents arranged marriage because they believed that they could choose the best husband for their daughter. Any courtship or romance is inappropriate for unmarried people. Although women were very highly expected and were referred to as ni tng the minister for the interior (Locke, Nguyen and Nguyen 14) after married by being responsible for all household work, they couldnt get involve in any business of any men in the family. There is a saying Ti trai ly nm ly by, gi chnh chuyn ch c mt chng" [A talented man has five to seven wives, a virtuous woman has only one husband] which demonstrates the idea of multiple wives and shows gender inequality in the society as well as the endurance of suffering and contention of women.

Modern Vietnamese women

Nowadays Vietnamese women follow Cng, Dung, Ngn, Hnh in a more contemporary way so that it is suitable to the era of integration and modernization under i Mi, in which many opportunities have been created, leading to the change in their social role. Government and family encourage women to go to school and study well and a large number of female students have been sent by their family to study abroad. Some families with longstanding tradition still teach their daughters Cng, Dung, Ngn, Hnh starting at a young age. Being educated, together with the skillfulness and gentleness in communication, these Vietnamese women take up career opportunities and earn money. Such environment trains them to be more confident and self-motivated; many of them now hold important leadership 11

000642-024 positions in organizations, companies, and even in the government. Many respondents to the survey also claim that modern women have rights and are free to love anyone as well as to choose their husbands. Early marriage or arranged marriage is illegal and has decreased significantly in developing regions. In Hanoi, only 1.20% of girls from 15 to 17 years old were married in 200910. This, together with the ban on multiple wives, has improved womens lifestyle. Obviously, by being involved more in the society and being another moneymaking person in the family, women are now stronger and more independent of their husbands. They not only share financial burden with the men but also complete their traditional responsibilities e.g. cooking, doing chores, taking care of children and parents etc. With the development of different means of communications, the idea of gender equality has been widespread, thus the conception of bearing sons rather than daughters is no longer a pressure on newly married women, said Mr. Nguyn Tun Cng, a university student who took the survey. Mrs. V Th Xun Trang, director of John Robert Powers (JRP) stated her opinion: In the past the economy was hard, Vietnamese women with generosity and tolerance normally sacrificed too much to their husbands and children. Now material life has been better, food and clothing is no longer an urgent issue, women should love themselves, take care of themselves and enjoy life. (Bch H) It can be said that Cng, Dung, Ngn, Hnh nowadays has reached another level of completeness because, along with knowledge, it not only shows Vietnamese womens role and ability within the family, but also in the society of Vietnam and in the whole world. However, the influences of westernization have also created negativity in womens outlook and behaviors, which affect their family, marriage and children. Many parents even 10 Department of Child Care and Protection, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Kt hn sm v to hn mt s tnh, thnh ph cc khuyn ngh trong tng lai (Early Marriage and Arranged Marriage in some provinces, cities, and Future Recommendations). Official page of Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. 10 Jan. 2012. 12

000642-024 encourage their daughters to concentrate on studying rather than help in chores, partially because there are maids in many families. As the result, Cng has become an unfamiliar term to not a small number of modern women; hence many wives now dont know how to cook, clean house etc., which fades the traditional beauty of Vietnamese women. Also, according to a research carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, the divorce rate has increased to 4.8%; especially the divorce rate of young couples that decided to get married themselves is a lot higher than those that asked for parents opinion and permission or were arranged by parents. (Lm V and Mai Hoa) Many women, however, care mostly about career, only provide money and materials to their children without talking and sharing with them. Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security show that 9.48% of criminals are juveniles. () Many children are now taking drugs, clubbing, spending large amounts of money arbitrarily. Besides, Vietnamese psychologist Nguyen Van Anh said 30% of children who have witnessed violence in divorced families may have a tendency to be violent when they are adults (Vietnam News Editors), and girls might no longer be graceful as they have been traditionally. Since women are important in the society, any negative changes in them can also have a huge negative impact on other elements of the society, namely marriage and children.

Conclusion
The traditional family of Vietnam has always played an important role in maintaining and passing Vietnamese traditions through generations by embodying cultural habits and customs. The industrialization and modernization under i Mi, which encourage ruralurban migration, along with the effects of Western cultures, have changed the family lifestyle to a certain extent through its change in family structure and roles, threatening the traditional values it carries. On the other hand, Vietnam is in the process of better integrating into the 13

000642-024 world, creating opportunities and improving the welfare of its people. Vietnamese people, as seen from the surveys and interviews, are daily exposed to change, and together with the traditional fondness for learning, they have built up a welcoming attitude towards Western cultures, which may have some positive impact on their modern lives. However, this does not necessarily apply to the whole population since not everyone realizes the two-side effects of the changes, hence accidentally go against tradition. Therefore, in adapting to the modern and busy lifestyle of such developing economy and society, its necessary that Vietnamese people be selective about aspects of these cultures for acquisition so as to enhance but, at the same time, still preserve the traditional culture of Vietnam.

Word Count: 3,972

Works Cited
The 2004 Migration Survey: Internal Migration and Related Life Course Events. Hanoi. Bch H. "Ph n hin i: Nhiu p lc v thch thc (Modern Women: A lot of Pressure and Challenges). Ngi Lao ng Online. 19 Oct. 2007. Web. Sept. 2011. <http://nld.com.vn/205371p0c1030/phu-nu-hien-dai-nhieu-ap-luc-va-thach-thuc.htm >. Cima, Ronald J., ed. Vietnam: A country Study, Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress. 1987. Web. Sept. 2011. Dean, Peter. Change in Vietnamese Family. Penhurst Girls High School. Nd. Dean, Peter. Focus study: Family life in Vietnam. Georges River College, Oatley Senior Campus. Nd. , Tn Ngc. "Nhc Nhi V S Quy Ph Ca La Tui V Thnh Nin (Worries about the spoilt juveniles) Bo in T Ca TW Hi Khuyn Hc Vit Nam - Din n Dn Tr Vit Nam. 25 Jan. 2010. Web. Sept. 2011. < http://dantri.com.vn/c20/s202375184/nhuc-nhoi-ve-su-quay-pha-cua-lua-tuoi-vi-thanh-nien.htm >. Ho Chi Minh City Yellow Pages 2011. Vietnam Directory and Yellow Pages 2 Jsc (VYP). Mar. 2011. Department of Child Care and Protection, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Kt hn sm v to hn mt s tnh, thnh ph cc khuyn ngh trong tng lai (Early Marriage and Arranged Marriage in some provinces, cities, and Future 14

000642-024 Recommendations). Official page of Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. 10 Jan. 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2012. < http://treem.molisa.gov.vn/SIte/vi-VN/13/367/17374/Default.aspx > Lm V and Mai Hoa. T l ly hn ang tng cao, ti sao? (Increasing divorce rate, why?) Tin 247. 23 Aug. 2008. Web. Sept. 2011. <http://www.tin247.com/ty_le_ly_hon_dang_tang_cao%2C_tai_sao-7-46866.html > Locke, Catherine, Nguyen, Thi Ngan Hoa and Nguyen, Thi Thanh Tam. The Institutional Context Influencing Rural-Urban Migration Choices and Strategies for Young Married Women and Men in Vietnam. Nov. 2008. The Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Welfare (B Lao ng, Thng Binh v X Hi). The Attitude of Vietnamese Labor and Society 2009/10 (Xu Hng Lao ng v X Hi Vit Nam 2009/10). The International Labor Organization Country Office for Vietnam. Hanoi. Jun. 2010. Nguyn, Vn Canh. Gia nh truyn thng Vit Nam (Traditional Vietnamese family). y ban mc v gia nh. N.d. <http://www.ubmvgiadinh.org/?open=contents&display=2&id=1605> Nguyn, Vn Bch. n b ngoi tnh Mt cn bnh thi i (Adulterous Women A Disease of Times). N.p.: n.p.. 5 Dec.1996. Phan, K Bnh. Vit Nam phong tc (Vietnamese custom). Nh Xut Bn Vn ha Thng tin. 2001. Trn, nh Hu. V gia nh truyn thng Vit Nam vi nh hng ca Nho gio (About traditional Vietnamese family influenced by Confuciasm). N.p.: n.p, n.d.. Vietnamese Culture and Tradition Editors. "Vietnamese Culture: Vietnamese Traditional Family Values." Vietnamese Culture and Tradition. N.d.. Web. Sept. 2011. < http://www.vietnam-culture.com/articles-53-6/Vietnamese-traditional-familyvalues.aspx > Vietnam News Editors. Infidelity drives divorce rate up. Viet Nam News. 10 Jul. 2006. Web. Sept. 2011. <http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Social-Isssues/155250/Infidelitydrives-divorce-rate-up.html > V, Thu H. Families grapple with changing times. Viet Nam News. 27 Oct. 2010. Web. Mar. 2011. <http://vietnamnews.vnanet.vn/Sunday/Features/205036/Families-grapple-withchanging-times.html> Zeng, Zi. Great Learning. Trans. Ezra Pound. University of Washington Book Store. 1970

Bibliography

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000642-024 Leshkowich, Ann Marie. Woman, Buddhist, Entrepreneur: Gender, Moral Values, and Class Anxiety in Late Socialist Vietnam. Journal of Vietnamese Studies, Vol. 1, Number 1-2. University of California Press: Berkeley, California. 2006. Hirschman, Charles and Vu, Manh Loi. Family and Household Structure in Vietnam: Some Glimpses from a Recent Survey. Pacific Affairs, Volume 69, Issue 2. Pacific Affairs. University of British Columbia: Canada. Summer, 1996. Ton, Nu Luong Trinh. Vietnamese traditional family values. N.p.: n.p.. N.d. < http://www.vietspring.org/values/traditionalval.html >

Appendices

__ SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUESTIONNAIRE __

Investigating how globalization has affected Vietnamese family life A. General Information
AGE GROUP <60 GENDER Male <20 20 60 Female

Have you ever lived and studied outside of Vietnam? Yes No (If yes, where and for how long? __________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ________________________)

B. Questions (please tick X)

16

000642-024

1. Do you feel that the influence of Western cultures, such as

the US, has affected traditional Vietnamese family life?

______ Yes, extremely ______ Yes, somewhat ______ There have been some significant changes but the traditions have mostly stayed the same ______ Not significantly ______ Not at all

2. Do you feel that these changes are positive or negative for Vietnam?
______ Positive Optional Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _____ ______ Negative

3. Do you see any differences in womens role in Vietnamese society?

______ Yes, womens role has changed dramatically (a) ______ Yes, womens role has changed somewhat but overall is still the same (b) ______ There have been slight, but insignificant changes 17

000642-024 ______ Not at all

Optional Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _____

* If your answer to question 3 was either (a) or (b), please answer the following:
Are these differences positive or negative for Vietnamese society? ______ Extremely positive ______ Somewhat positive ______ Neither positive nor negative ______ Somewhat negative ______ Extremely negative Please briefly explain why: ____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 18

000642-024 ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!

* This questionnaire was conducted online with limited access.

19

000642-024

_ANALYSIS OF THE SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUESTIONNAIRE_

Investigating how globalization has affected Vietnamese family life A. General Information
AGE GROUP > 60 17 GENDER 15 Male 13 < 20 10 Female 17 20 -60 3

Have you ever lived and studied outside of Vietnam? Yes No 15 (If yes, where and for how long?
1 month in China, 1 month in Singapore

Russia, 10 years Russia, for one year Sydney 2 years Canada. Almost 2 years UK, 3 months UK, 2 years Switzerland, more than 1 year USA for 2 months USA for 3 months USA, 3 months USA almost 2 years USA, for 2 years USA, 2 years USA 5 years)

B. Questions (please tick X)

1. Do you feel that the influence of Western cultures, such as

the US, has affected traditional Vietnamese family life?

20

000642-024 (a) Yes, extremely 7 (b) Yes, somewhat 15 (c) There have been some significant changes but the traditions have mostly stayed the same 6 (d) Not significantly 2 (e) Not at all 0

2. Do you feel that these changes are positive or negative for Vietnam?
(a) Extremely Positive 2 (b)Somewhat positive 16 (c) Neither positive nor negative 9 (d)Somewhat negative 3 (e) Extremely negative 0

Optional Comments: Positive : Widen Vietnamese people ' views/perceptions/knowledge toward social/global issues/events/trends Negative : Ruin some of traditional norms/beliefs/values of Vietnamese people . People take easy on works, parental control, how they dressed, everything! => other problems that just occurred Work dependently; more freedom; not depend on family a lot; new fashionable trends Modern and more open thoughts They need to learn more from the good and stay away from the bad things that they always think it "cool" but it actually not Some traditional stays the same e.g. we still live in a nuclear family, unlike Western countries where children start to live on their own when they reach the age of 18. There are not many changes in my family life. We still have the same way of living such as having dinner with family, worship of the ancestors, greetings to the elders and family members, which are always important. We do not live independently like the westerns. 21

000642-024 Depends on the way people use it. They may choose to not follow the trends, just simply because they don't want to get out the box, they don't accept any things new. They think the tradition is part of their belonging through their experience. If they change it, they don't feel accepted and belonging. There is always a good or a bad side to these changes.

1. Do you see any differences in womens role in Vietnamese society?

(a) Yes, womens role has changed dramatically 9 (b) Yes, womens role has changed somewhat but overall is still the same 18 (c) There have been slight, but insignificant changes 2 (d) Not at all 1

Optional Comments: Women have more rights to do the things they want with less judgment than that in the past. Same because they would give up things for the ones they love, who are men and children (still can go to work and be successful but stay home cooking instead) Nowadays, women have more advantages to show their abilities because the society treats them fairly. Thus they can keep the important positions in society, but they still play a significant role in taking care of their family. They have more rights than they used to have. Society expects more from women than it used to How they look, how they talk, how they treat other people, especially boys

22

000642-024 Recently, more and more women are going to work and earning money to help their family. In some circumstances, they are breadwinners of the family. Women have more economic participation and opportunities in the society, also the empowerment in politics. Many of them go to work rather than being housewives. However, they still fulfill the responsibilities of a wife, a mother. Women in VN have a say and high education, can do jobs usually for men like police, stuntman, etc. but somehow theyre still considered the one who gives birth, and people still blame children's fault on women. Women have become more important and had more power in society.

* If your answer to question 3 was either (a) or (b), please answer the following:
Are these differences positive or negative for Vietnamese society? (a) Extremely positive 4 (b)Somewhat positive 18 (c) Neither positive nor negative 3 (d)Somewhat negative 2 (e) Extremely negative 0

Please briefly explain why: Most of women go to work and take important positions in companies, or state companies. Now some Vietnamese women are holding important positions in Vietnam ese government. Basically they have equal rights, including going to university, doing jobs that used to be available for men only etc. Forced marriage still exists in some parts of the country, but was reduced by a significant amount. More equal than before 23

000642-024 Positive: become backbones of some families instead of men Things that women bring to the society when they're successful carry their personalities (beauty, jealousy...) These changes in women's role positive for Vietnamese society because they will have a lot of right, they won't depend on their husband... Women can show their possibilities, capabilities in social life, business Women could take parts in social life Women's role in the society is more remarkable. Things have both sides: it can be positive in the sense that women now have more opportunities, but can also be negative because many concentrate on their career and care less for their family. Nowadays, women are active and self-confident Women can live and enjoy their lives properly. - Go outside to get knowledge: bring up their children and take care of their family better. - Go to work and make money: share the difficulty with their husband and develop the family's financial status. - With other women, they help to build a happy and civil community. Because Vietnamese women have more and more good positions in society, but some seem to neglect housework and the nature of motherhood. Because women have more freedom Because women can do many things more than ever for society if they have chances. In other words, the more the society creates opportunities for women's development, the more the society develops. Because western cultural is more modern and it makes Vietnam families more open and easier to live without a lot of old traditions. Women can take part in both politic and social life. Women are not only housewives but also businesswomen.

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__ SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS __

Investigating how globalization has affected Vietnamese family life A. General Information
AGE GROUP <60 GENDER Male <20 20 60 Female

B. Questions
1. In what way do you feel that the influence from Western cultures, like the US, has affected traditional Vietnamese family life?
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2. Do you feel that these changes are positive or negative for Vietnam? Why?

3. Do you see any differences in womens role in Vietnamese society? Is this positive or negative for Vietnamese society?

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!

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