Research Paper
The view of Confucianism about the importance of men, disregard for women and its influence on Vietnam
For 2.000 years of dissemination in Vietnam, particularly in three periods such as Tran (1225 - 1400), Later Le Dynasty (1428 - 1527) and Nguyen Dynasty Early Period (1802 - 1883), Confucianism caused vigorous impacts on politics and culture of Vietnam. It mainly influenced upper classes and strata in society, but it did not take root in lower social classes and strata. For politic, Confucianism was used by Vietnamese feudal dynasties to govern the country; for the spiritual culture, Confucianism made a contribution towards formation of an orthodox culture besides folk that was attached closely with ethnic sense, resulting in the core of ethnic culture. Confucianism made the spiritual culture of Vietnamese people in the medieval time significantly Chinese-inclined; at the same time, it held back and caused negative impacts on Vietnamese traditional culture, both spiritually and materially. The more significant Confucianism was considered, the weaker Vietnam became and the more regressive Vietnamese culture was kept. Eventually, Confucianism became powerless and faded, when Vietnam encountered the situation of losing the country in the middle 19th century (1858). In Vietnam as in other Asian countries, Confucianism has exercised a powerful influence in the formation of society, and continues to be a major cultural factor. The traditional Vietnamese, the man plays an important role in family and society; women spent her whole life taking care of her parents, husband and children. These famous Confucius statement express that ideal: “trai anh hùng năm thê bảy thiếp” (a man who is considered a hero must have five to seven wives), “tại gia tòng phụ” (serving the father at home), “xuất giá tòng phu” (upon marriage serving the husband), “phu tử tòng tử” (after the death of the husband serving the children). The view “trọng name khinh nữ” (the importance of man, disregard for women) of Confucianism has been used by Vietnamese feudal dynasties and existed in Vietnamese society until today. In the history of Vietnam, that idea has created a distinction, treatment and lowering the role of women, adversely affecting the distribution of society. Although today, in the society of Vietnam, that idea has no longer affected the development of society but it still exists and creates gender inequality in social relations, hindering the development of Vietnamese society.
Published by: Vu Hong Van
Author: Vu Hong Van
Paper ID: V5I3-1975
Paper Status: published
Published: June 21, 2019
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