report topic media representation of male in vietnam

IntroductionThe image of the Vietnamese man has undergone transformation and diversitythroughout historical periods, reflecting the changes in society, culture and history of thecountry.

Hanoi University

— -REPORT TOPIC

IN VIETNAM

Lecturer: Hoang Thao Van

Subject: Psychology of Communication

Students: 2201060010 - Vũ Ngọc Anh

2201060013 - Nguyễn Thái Hoàng Bách

2201060039 - Chu Cẩm Ly

2201060057 - Bùi Thị Ngọc Sang

Table of Contents

I Introduction 3

II Literature review 3

1 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media before 1945 3

1.1 Confucianism has a great influence on Vietnamese gender stereotypes 3

1.2 Concepts of Respecting Men and Despising Women in the Tao of Confucius 4

1.3 Virtues promoted in Confucius culture 5

2 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media from 1946 - 1984 (Before Doi Moi period) 7

3 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media from 1984 - 2005 (After Doi Moi period).9 3.1 Soldier 9

3.2 Intellectuals 10

3.3 Inner emotional 10

4 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media nowadays 11

4.1 The changes in mindset, behavior, and personality 11

4.2 The causes of these changes 11

4.3 The positive changes 12

4.3.1 Awareness of tasks and efforts to improve 12

4.3.2 Directly participating in educating children 12

4.3.3 Appreciation of women in both action and thought 12

4.4 The negative changes 12

4.4.1 The tendency to be single for life 12

4.4.2 Domestic violence and alcoholism 13

III Conclusion 13

IV References 14

I Introduction

The image of the Vietnamese man has undergone transformation and diversity throughout historical periods, reflecting the changes in society, culture and history of the country Through each period, the aspects and roles of Vietnamese men have become different and diverse

During the ancient and medieval periods, Vietnamese men were often associated with images of soldiers and soldiers They demonstrate virtue and courage in protecting their family, society and country The image of men during this period was built on national heroes such as Hung Vuong and Ly Thuong Kiet, characters who symbolized the courage and loyalty

of the Vietnamese people

Before the country achieved independence, Vietnamese men had to face war and terrorism from rival entities During the colonial period and the war period, the image of men was associated with fighting and sacrificing for the country This was the period when national heroes such as Vo Nguyen Giap and Nguyen Van Troi became symbols of courage and love for the country, encouraging the spirit of struggle and freedom

On the journey of innovation and modernity, the image of Vietnamese men has continued to become more diverse and richer Men in this era were often considered hard workers, pursuing success and contributing to the economic development of the country They participate in the fields of industry, commerce, science and technology, construction and social development Vietnamese men also take on the role of husband, father and head of the family, responsible for nurturing and protecting the family, creating favorable conditions for the development and happiness of all members family member

In contemporary culture, the image of Vietnamese men is expressed through many different aspects and social classes There were successful men in business, creative artists, social leaders, active citizens and champions of community rights This image demonstrates the development and progress of society, where men play an important role and actively contribute to the development and progress of society

However, it should be remembered that it is impossible to generalize the image of Vietnamese men into a single model The role and image of men in society depends on many factors, including culture, family, education and economics Each man has his own characteristics, dynamism and will, contributing to the diversity and richness of the image of Vietnamese men throughout the country's development process

Above all, the image of a Vietnamese man has a deep and multidimensional meaning

In addition to the traditional role of protector of family and country, man also became a multifaceted individual, with a creative social role and contributing to the development of the community They are people with responsibility, courage and patriotism, always trying to build a good future for Vietnam and the world

II Literature review

1 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media before 1945.

1.1 Confucianism has a great influence on Vietnamese gender stereotypes

Confucianism has had a great and profound influence on definition in Vietnam since it was spread to the country The position and role of Confucian ideology cannot be denied in

the fields of life, literature and accepted views in traditional society However, the assessment

of this influence, whether it is positive or negative in promoting the development of society, depends on the historical period and perspective of each period

The goal of Confucianism is to create a good society, but the method to achieve this is not only based on eliminating harm and business, but also focuses on inspiring people to cultivate morality ethics to achieve salary improvement In Confucianism, caring for and cultivating morality is very important, and most ideal people in this sect are considered heroes and heroines, or models of saints They act as core forces in daily life, along with the ruling forces, maintaining a harmonious feudal social order However, sometimes these role models tend to be morally conservative

1.2 Concepts of Respecting Men and Despising Women in the Tao of Confucius

Tran Trong Kim once commented that "The Tao of Confucius is the Tao of a gentleman, whose purpose is to teach people to be completely virtuous and have noble dignity, so many of Confucius's teachings and studies all focus on building a gentleman Confucius' personality model is also the pride of Confucianism and feudal society." [19] Therefore, when discussing cultural behavior according to gender, we can see that in Confucian feudal society, there always exist unfair and extreme concepts towards women, associated with the Priority is given to men and pushes women to a lower position in the family and society

These concepts, such as "At home, obey the father, when married, follow the husband, the son follows the son" ("Tại gia tòng phụ, xuất giá tòng phu, phu tử tòng tử"),, or the concept of favoring men over women such as "The first male must be present, the tenth female must be non"("Nhất nam viết hữu, thập nữ viết vô"), have created injustice and discrimination between men and women, leading to placing women in the lowest position in the family and society These concepts not only influence people's thoughts and actions but are also reflected in literary works:

● Folk songs from ancient times include: Being wise is like a woman, even being clumsy is like being a man.(Khôn ngoan cũng thể đàn bà, Dầu rằng vụng dại cũng là đàn ông);

● Men are shallow and open wells, women are profound and store betel (Đàn ông nông nổi giếng khơi, Đàn bà sâu sắc nha cơi đựng trầu)

● Men with wide mouths are luxurious, women with wide mouths destroy homes (Đàn ông rộng miệng thì sang, Đàn bà rộng miệng tan hoang cửa nhà.)

Right from these folk songs, we can clearly see the concept of the roles of men and women in old society Women have long been viewed as fragile, dependent and lacking a voice in family and society These concepts have become customs and practices and are associated with ethics such as "divine duty", "sacrifice", "femininity" and "denial" Women are assigned responsibilities such as "when they are young, they take care of cultivating women's virtues, when they are married, they take care of "worshiping" their husbands and raising children", and this has become common and not considered a problem

In addition, gender stereotypes in Confucianism also believe that men are the breadwinners of the family and the ones who do great work:

● Men build houses, women build homes (Đàn ông xây nhà, đàn bà xây tổ ấm.);

● Men take care of the house, women take care of the kitchen (Đàn ông lo cái nhà, đàn

bà lo cái bếp)

From folk songs about women and men in old societies, we can see that Confucian society is still undeniably It cannot be denied that in the past, gender-based behavioral culture in Confucian feudal society has created injustice and discrimination between men and women However, it is worth noting that society and cultural attitudes have changed over time In the modern era, we have seen progress and changes in the concept of gender roles

Today, cultural behavior according to gender is no longer limited by ancient concepts Women have achieved many achievements in areas such as education, economics, politics and society Women's rights are recognized and protected by law, and disparities between men and women have been reduced

Currently, the culture of gender behavior is evolving towards more diversity and equality Personal rights and freedoms are no longer limited based on gender Most countries have implemented policies and laws to ensure gender equality in all areas, from ensuring the right to education and career development for women to ensuring marriage rights, legal treatment, etc domestic violence and building a fair and gender-respecting society Although there still exist some issues and challenges related to gender and behavioral culture, such as wage discrimination, domestic violence and gender discrimination, in general, society is progressing towards diversity more diversity and equality in the treatment of men and women

In short, in the past, the culture of gender behavior in Confucian feudal society tended

to discriminate between men and women However, in the modern era, society has changed and the culture of gender behavior is evolving towards more diversity and equality Conceptions and values about gender roles are being changed and improved, with the promotion of policies, laws and social awareness

1.3 Virtues promoted in Confucius culture

On the other hand, Confucianism also emphasizes the important qualities that people need to have for a better life, which are humanity, propriety, righteousness, wisdom, and faith Nguyen Trai, a Confucian scholar and moralist, pursued Confucian morality He applied the Confucian style of "literary proselytizing" , that is, using literature to spread the thoughts and morals of saints and sages In his works, he always emphasized loyalty and filial piety, and the role of men in society People following Nguyen Trai's philosophy always aim for sacred responsibility towards family and country In particular, he was always reminded about two important aspects: loyalty and filial piety

"Dust has a feeling of delay The way to be a child is to be the way to be a servant." [20]

(Non Chi - lesson 1)

("Bụi có một niềm chăng nỡ trễ Đạo làm con mấy đạo làm tôi."

(Ngôn chí - bài 1))

"The military has not yet reported to keep watch

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A father's wife's love is heaven's bread." [21]

(Non Chi - lesson 7)

("Quân thân chưa báo lòng canh cánh Tìm hiểu thêm Tình phụ cơm trời, áo cha."

(Ngôn chí - bài 7))

In his works, Nguyen Trai also mentioned kindness, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith He lived in a society disintegrated by war, and he was aware of the responsibility of a scholar He advised people to treat each other based on meaning In Nguyen Trai's poetry, the concepts of the three diamonds and five diamonds are often combined together:

"All things depend on God, Every movement is influenced by the teacher."[22]

("Thủy chung mỗi vật đều nhờ chúa, Động tĩnh nào ai chẳng bởi thầy.") Even though joy and anger are strong and soft, kindness and courtesy are given, scholars must

be wholeheartedly loyal to the king and the country, and must spread moral words to help the king, and should not go around and do evil things harming the country and harming the people He believes that scholars must have the same heart as Wei Zhong of the Tang Dynasty and Bao Zheng of the Song Dynasty of China:

"Showing and grumbling about the snow where he studied religion

In court, the word "scarf" means diligence." [23]

(Bao Kinh Realm - Lesson 60)

("Khoe tuyết làu làu nơi học đạo

Ở triều khăn khăn chữ trung cần."

(Bảo kính cảnh giới - Bài 60))

"At the pavilion, keep Bao Chung's heart, During funerals, the habit is to disguise yourself."[24]

(Precious realm - Lesson 61)

("Ở đài các giữ lòng Bao Chửng, Nhậm tang khanh thì thói Ngụy Trang."

(Bảo kính cảnh giới - Bài 61)) Similar to Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Khuyen and other Confucian scholars, Nguyen Binh Khiem always carried in his heart two concepts of centralism He is always reminded about "Loc is grateful thanks to the saintly wisdom" (Nom Poetry, lesson 125) He himself, judging by his personality type, was a Confucianist It is important to remember that Confucian philosophy and values are not always applied uniformly in modern society Each person has the right to freedom of belief and philosophy, and not everyone follows Confucianism or agrees with the values it promotes

At the same time, Confucianism has also undergone many changes and interactions with other ideologies and sects during its development Confucianism has intersected with other religious values such as Buddhism, Christianity and Islam throughout history In addition, the values and principles of Confucianism are discussed and evaluated in light of modern perspectives and social, cultural, and scientific advances Therefore, in modern society, the role and influence of Confucianism can change and be diverse Some people still

consider Confucianism to be an important part of their ethics, philosophy, and culture, while others may not be interested or have different views about Confucianism

In short, Confucianism is a philosophical and educational system that has a profound influence on Vietnamese history and culture It promotes values such as loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust and has had a significant influence

on the philosophy and way of life of many people However, like any other educational system and philosophy, the role and influence of Confucianism can change in modern society and be evaluated from many different perspectives

2 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media from 1946 - 1984 (Before Doi Moi period).

Vietnamese Literature continued unveiling the duality of men in the next era as an enduring image of Uncle Ho's soldiers during the War in the period of 1946 and 1984 [16] The period following World War II and the August Revolution of 1945 marked a turning point for Vietnam Having endured decades of French colonial rule, followed by Japanese occupation during the war, Vietnam entered a new era characterized by struggle and resilience [15] This socio-political context heavily influenced Vietnamese literature, particularly in its portrayal of Vietnamese men as both soldiers and peasants

Vietnam's path to independence was paved with conflict The lingering presence of French troops after WWII ignited the First Indochina War (1946-1954) Following a brief period of uneasy peace, the country was divided along ideological lines, leading to the Vietnam War (1955-1975) This prolonged period of warfare deeply affected Vietnamese society, shaping the roles men played within it [15]

Amidst the countless glorious pages of our nation's history, the image of Uncle Ho's soldiers during the French Resistance War stands as a perpetually cherished and sacred symbol, forever etched in the hearts of every Vietnamese citizen They were the finest sons and daughters of our homeland, hailing from humble, rustic backgrounds, bearing the burdens and hardships of life, yet carrying within them an unwavering, indomitable spirit From strangers, upon joining the ranks, they forged an unbreakable bond of camaraderie, a sacred fellowship [14] They stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing the tribulations of war, and fighting side by side against foreign invaders The imagery has become an enduring emblem of the soldiers' profound solidarity [17]

"Súng bên súng đầu sát bên đầu Đêm rét chung chăn thành đôi tri kỷ”

Đồng Chí - Chính Hữu

(Rifles side by side, heads close together Sharing blankets on cold nights, becoming confidants)

Uncle Ho's soldiers embodied the essence of simplicity, modesty, and honesty They were not adorned with extravagance or superficiality, but rather exuded a down-to-earth, genuine nature They were the farmers clad in military attire, carrying within them the noble qualities

of the working class They lived frugally, practiced austerity, and were always ready to share what they had with their comrades The driving force behind Uncle Ho's soldiers was their fervent patriotism and their burning hatred for the enemy They fought for the independence and freedom of their nation, for the happiness of their people Witnessing the sacrifices of

their comrades, they grew even more determined in their fight, vowing to avenge those who had fallen This unwavering resolve wasn't fueled by mere anger, but by a deep understanding

of the cost of colonialism They had seen their villages ravaged, their families displaced, and their way of life threatened They fought not just for a flag, but for the very essence of Vietnam Despite the harsh realities of war, these soldiers weren't solely defined by hardship They possessed remarkable resilience, adapting to the most grueling conditions with ingenuity and resourcefulness They found solace and laughter in shared experiences, singing songs under the stars, and forging a unique kind of family with their fellow soldiers This spirit of camaraderie and optimism provided a powerful counterpoint to the darkness of war, reminding them of the life and beauty they were fighting to protect

However, the Vietnamese literature also revealed hidden corners and dark aspects of man’s image during this period of time Nam Cao “Sống Mòn” (1956) and Nguyễn Minh Châu "Chiếc thuyền ngoài xa" (1983) serve as prime examples of these hidden factors Writer Nam Cao achieved success in vividly depicting the spiritual tragedy of Thứ, as well as that of impoverished intellectuals in pre-1945 society, who were known as the "suffering scholars." These intellectuals possessed a profound awareness of the value of life and human dignity, harbored aspirations, dedication, and talent, and aimed to build noble spiritual careers However, they were burdened by the struggles of daily life and suffocated by oppressive social conditions, leading them to a state of spiritual decay, feeling useless and superfluous in society The writer vehemently criticized the inhumane aspects of society that strangled life and destroyed the human soul Simultaneously, he voiced the longing for a meaningful and worthy human existence Nam Cao depicted truthfully and sometimes brutally, dissecting the layers of human complexity Just as in life, where petty selfishness sometimes triumphs, in most cases, the character of Thứ with his inherent honesty and profound self-examination still aspired towards goodness and righteousness In the excerpt, from the family meal scene, we glimpse the deep-seated goodness within Thứ, who lives responsibly for his family, his wife, and children Even in moments of self-indulgence with a good meal or watching a movie, we can understand these as legitimate desires of someone who has labored tirelessly While the man in the second literature emerges with the brutal act of domestic abuse against his wife, evoking feelings of anger and despair in the reader The image of the violent, abusive man, diametrically opposed to the expected image of a loving husband and father, exposes the prevalence of domestic violence in Vietnamese society at the time These works not only expose the darker aspects of the Vietnamese man's image but also serve as a wake-up call to society They are reminders of the importance of family responsibility, the necessity of condemning and combating domestic violence Simultaneously, they are calls for change, for

a society where men are not merely material pillars but also loving and responsible husbands and fathers The portrayal of the Vietnamese man as the family pillar is a timeless theme, reflected in various forms throughout Vietnamese literature While traditional depictions often emphasize the positive attributes of this role, works like “Sống Mòn” and "Chiếc thuyền ngoài xa" challenge us to confront the complexities and darker aspects that lie beneath the surface These works serve as powerful critiques of society, urging us to re-evaluate the patriarchal structure and advocate for a more equitable and just social order, where the Vietnamese man truly embodies the ideals of strength, responsibility, and unwavering support for his family

It's crucial to acknowledge the role of women during this period While literature often focused on men, it's important to remember that women shouldered immense burdens They kept families afloat, worked the land in the men's absence, and provided emotional support during times of strife Summarizing the poetry of resistance from the period of 1945

-1975, we gain deeper insights into qualities, souls, and characters in the soldiers, showcasing exemplary actions of national heroes They are a source of immense pride for the nation, embodying the noblest ideals of heroism in their era They remain and will continue to be an endless source of inspiration in poetic works

3 The portrayal of Vietnamese men through the media from 1984 - 2005 (After Doi Moi period)

During the reform period in Vietnam (from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century), Vietnamese literature had a significant role in shaping and reflecting societal changes The image of Vietnamese men portrayed in Vietnamese literature during this period experienced a transformation influenced by various factors, including historical events, exposure to Western ideas, and evolving social norms

Before the reform period, Vietnamese literature often described men as heroic figures who had qualities such as loyalty, filial piety, and bravery These characters were often associated with the Confucian ideals that dominated Vietnamese society at the time They were portrayed as defenders of the nation, upholding moral values and serving their country and communities

3.1 Soldier

After the spring victory in 1975, Vietnamese history opened a completely new page Peace was restored in all regions of the country, and the country entered a period of recovery and development Economic and social changes have led to changes in ideology and culture, requiring literature to respond promptly and appropriately [7] The change in literature is most clearly shown through an image that has permeated the previous painful historical period -Uncle Ho's soldier A series of novels appeared, especially after 1986, making a big splash when looking back at the war, looking back at the past, placing soldiers in peace as well as illuminating the hidden corners of war The transformation of literature in the concept of humanity has become a hotly discussed topic through research works, articles, topics as well

as being taught and analyzed in high school programs and university

In terms of soldiers, literature during this period fulfilled its task of bridging the deep gap within the individuals who had once held guns When they were fortunate enough to return to civilian life, they realized that they carried the tragic burden of their own fate This

is a distinct residue of physical and mental pain, accompanied by unfulfilled desires in present life

During wartime, due to the circumstances, individuals were not able to express themselves naturally [8] Instead, they existed as fighting beings, and the social aspect of humanity emerged as a central figure in revolutionary literature War, by its very nature, is abnormal, and it deprives people of the most ordinary aspects of their humanity Therefore, during peacetime, natural human beings (through their instincts for survival and desires) were restored in the truest sense, leading to a reexamination of the soldier's image with different

characteristics, shades, and extremes in the relationship between war memories and everyday life today

3.2 Intellectuals

One significant change was the emergence of male characters who were portrayed as intellectuals, scholars, and revolutionaries These characters sought to challenge the status quo and advocate for political and social change They engaged in political movements, fought against colonialism, and advocated for modernization and equality Writers such as Phan Boi Chau and Nguyen Ai Quoc became prominent figures during this period, embodying the ideals of Vietnamese men who were active in the pursuit of national liberation

In the novel "The History of the Loss of Vietnam" (Việt Nam vong quốc sử), [10] Phan Boi Chau describes the male characters as intellectuals and nationalists, driven by a burning desire to liberate Vietnam from colonial rule people Through action and dialogue, Chau's characters convey a strong sense of patriotism and a commitment to challenging the status quo

As regard Nguyen Ai Quoc, his writings and speeches played a key role in shaping the image of Vietnamese men during the reform period In the novel “The Protracted Struggle" (Trường kỳ kháng chiến), Ho Chi Minh presents male characters as dedicated revolutionaries, fighting against colonial oppression and fighting for the rights of the Vietnamese people These characters demonstrate a spirit of resistance and determination, inspiring readers to join the fight for independence

3.3 Inner emotional

Another notable shift during the reform period in Vietnamese literature was the exploration of the inner emotional lives of male characters Traditionally, Vietnamese literary tradition placed emphasis on the collective identity and societal roles, often downplaying the individual experiences and emotional depth of male characters [7] However, as the reform period unfolded, authors began to challenge these conventions and ventured into the complexities of human emotions, including those experienced by men This shift allows for a more nuanced and introspective portrayal of Vietnamese men as individuals with their own desires, aspirations, and struggles

One novel that exemplifies this exploration of male emotions is "Dumb Luck" (Số đỏ)

by Vu Trong Phung Published in 1936, "Dumb Luck" is a satirical novel that delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil of its male protagonist, Xuan [11] Through Xuan's story, Phung brings to light the internal struggles faced by Vietnamese men during a time of societal change Xuan's desires, frustrations, and anxieties are vividly depicted, challenging the traditional stoic portrayal of male characters in Vietnamese literature

By delving into the inner emotional lives of male characters, Vietnamese literature during the reform period provides a richer and more humanistic depiction of Vietnamese men [17] This shift allows readers to connect on a deeper level with the characters, as their experiences and emotions resonate with the complexities of real-life individuals It also challenges the notion that men must conform to rigid gender roles and allow for a greater understanding and empathy towards the diverse range of human experiences

Overall, Vietnamese literature during the reform period witnesses a transformation in the image of Vietnamese men From traditional depictions of heroic figures upholding