The movement to build cultural families was launched in Vietnam in the 1960s and since then it has been spreading throughout the country. Generations of Vietnamese have established family order and values such as filial piety, loyalty and solidarity between family members. Family tradition has become the core part of building cultural families, a healthy cell of society, which implement party guidelines and state policies and contribute to national construction and defense.
However, families are now being attacked by the negative side of the market economy, money-oriented practical lifestyle, unhealthy culture from outside and social evils. As a result, there have increasing cases of divorce, separation, uncertified marriages, sexual relations before marriage and domestic violence. Family moral values are degrading.
To this end, Vietnam Family Development Strategy until 2020 with a vision to 2030 has been approved by Prime Minister. According to the strategy, by 2015, 80% or more of the total households nationwide will be classified as of cultural standards (The rate for disadvantaged areas is 70% or more). The figures will increase to 85% and 75%, respectively, by 2020.
The number of households that suffer domestic violence and social evils will be reduced by 10-15% annually. Households that are devoted to bringing up offspring without gender discrimination will reach 85% and 95% of the total households nationwide by 2015 and 2020.
Boosting life skills education for family members
Efforts should be made to reform content and diversify forms of communications on family culture and anti-domestic violence. Mass media’s role should be promoted to fan messages to citizens, especial male groups.
In addition, coverage of role models should also be promoted and unhealthy acts should be criticized. Consequences of gender imbalance at birth should be warned of.
The strategy also urges for further efforts to educate family members about family-related policies and laws, life skills (Parenting skills, improved relations between family members and communities, building a safe environment for children), men’s responsibilities for housework, and women’s rights in each family.
Skills for building prosperous, progressive and happy families and the fight against domestic violence should be incorporated into school curricula.
Regular social support for most disadvantaged people
The strategy sets out major measures, including a comprehensive review of policies to expand regular social support for the most disadvantaged people. Priorities will be given to poor children in mountainous areas and households affected by natural disasters.
Households will be given access to minimum social services for education, health care, housing, clean water and information. Priorities will be given to ethnic minority and poor households in mountainous and remote areas.
By Ngoc Van