Gender Issues :: essays research papers

Gender equalityGender equality is an issue constantly in conflict within societies of Eastern and Western countries. Although Vietnamese women living in the United States have equal access to jobs and education and are able to be independent, they still choose to incorporate the new realities of their lives into the ideologic confines of the traditional family system (Kibria 109). Tradition mandates that women are the support system of principles and values of the traditional Vietnamese family system (137). While Vietnamese women are to a greater extent reserved and submissive to their husbands, Vietnamese-American women have discovered the strength and power to be the central figure within the newly defined collective household in order to survive and provide for the childrens future.According to Confucianism, the family line is patriarchal and the man is to be obeyed. Women were expected to follow the three respectsher father, her husband and her firstborn son if not, the conseque nces were severe. Having women stay at home with the children is a way of life in mainstream Asian countries. In Asia, a woman would not and could not progress her parents home until she is married, then she would live with and care for her husbands family. An unwed woman living on her declare would be considered shameful and disgraceful to her family in Asian culture. foreign the strict traditional ways of Confucianism, Vietnamese families are orderly and emotional (Freeman 88). Within the traditional Vietnamese family, the disciplined authority of and obligation to the father, but as well nurturance, sentiment and affection are associated with the mother (89). Asian women, in general, are taught to be reserved and to keep thoughts and experiences private in order to avoid losing establishment and embarrassing the family however, more respect for the rights and powers of Vietnamese women have contributed to a Vietnamese history inclusive of strong, intelligent and decisive wom en such as the Truong Sisters who fought and defeated the Chinese to regain Vietnams independence in 40 A.D. Traditional femininity is to be expressed through modes of dress, movement, speech and actions to an extent this is also true of Asian-American women in modern society. Although a traditional Asian womens timid behavior leads to a lack of individuality and self-confidence, Asian-America women have begun to shed the belief of fate, destined misery, and strived to speak their own minds. If women are given opportunities to pursue careers, they are expected to fulfill positions as nurses, textile workers, or teacher because women are supposedly more caring and nurturing.