Limited Equality: Contradictory Ideas about Gender and the Implications for Reproductive Health in Rural Vietnam
Santillán, D.; Schuler, S.; Hoang Tu Anh; Tran Minh, H.; Bui Thi Thanh Mai,
Journal of Health Management 4(2): 251-267
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0972-0634 Document Number: 234871
The historical convergence of various ideologies, particularly Confucian and communist/socialist doctrines, has fostered contradictory gender norms and attitudes that affect reproductive health in contemporary Vietnam. Patriarchal ideas rooted in Confucianism coexist with the concept of gender equality. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study and preliminary results from a structured survey. It examines how contradictory norms and attitudes affect women's reproductive health by influencing reproductive decision making, family planning responsibilities, responses to reproductive health problems and couple communication.