Rearranging Care, Reconfiguring Gender: Family and Household Business in Post-Đổi Mới Vietnam

Men and masculinities studies in Vietnam: A brief review

“…After Đổi Mới , dramatic social and economic changes provided opportunities for women to enhance their role and contribution to family. This period also showed an increase in their involvement in family decision‐making and in income, which could sometimes be higher than that of their husband's (Hoang & Yeoh, 2011; Horat, 2017). In addition, as the standard of living and the increased gap between the rich and the poor increased, the pressure of maintaining a high household living standard (relative to other families) placed a burden on the husbands, furthering a perceived need for the man to fulfill the role as the head of the house, ensure income stability, and thus maintaining their sense of masculinity (An et al., 2012; Le, 2012; Lê et al., 2012).…”

“…More recent studies have noted that women from rural areas may migrate for employment to supplement household need; however, this will only occur if agricultural work is not providing sufficient income (Vu, 2015; Vu & Agergaard, 2012). Other women may begin to work in trades or household business (Horat, 2017; Martin, 2013). In both cases, women may become material providers, resulting in loss of time and capacity to engage in traditional caring duties, or perhaps gaining more power in their family structure (Hoang & Yeoh, 2011; Vu & Agergaard, 2012).…”

“…Research has noted mixed reactions from men within these changing economic circumstances. Some studies note that Vietnamese men have been embarrassed or feel ridiculed for having to take on forms of labor traditionally considered to be feminine (Bergstedt, 2016; Hoang, 2011; Horat, 2017; Locke et al., 2012). Other studies have found that while some men actively take on the caring role to support their wives' working, they typically expect to hand these domestic tasks back to their wives when they return (Horat, 2017; Vu, 2015).…”

“…Research also highlights different strategies for men to protect their sense of masculinity. Some have built their image as a responsible kinship member and a good father to maintain their well‐respected status within the community (Hoang & Yeoh, 2011; Horat, 2017), while one study reported how some men affirm their decision‐maker role in the family by purchasing expensive goods regardless of objections that may come from their wife (Vu, 2015).…”

Vietnamese Reception Of Soft Masculinities In Korean Television Dramas: Desires, Identifications, And Gender

“…A burgeoning number of studies of contemporary Vietnam have investigated alternative gender practices, revealing women's growing power and the corresponding corrosion of traditional ideals of masculinity. One prominent topic is the reversal of gender roles: the trend of women becoming their family's breadwinners due to their labour migration to cities (Truong, 2009;Vu & Agergaard, 2012;Bich Ha Dao, 2015), labour migration overseas (Hoang & Yeoh, 2011;Nguyễn Hữu Minh & Nguyễn Thị Thanh Tâm, 2014), and involvement in petty trade (Horat, 2018). By virtue of such evolving arrangements, stay-at-home husbands in these studies report feelings of ambivalence, accepting their wives' growing power because of the family's economic gain while experiencing embarrassment (ibid.).…”