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Actual status of elder women's livelihood

The article present findings of a sample study on actual status of the livelihood and needs of elder women which was conducted in seven provinces representing for various spatial areas in Vietnam in 2003. In this article, a variety of aspects relating to elder women's livelihood are analyzed, namely marriage, residence patterns, education, employment, power at home, etc. Findings from the survey reveal that elder women play an important role, especially in making decisions on major domestic affairs and such a role is directly proportional to their educational attainment. Regarding health and healthcare behaviors, it is described that a majority of elder women do not go to health centers until their bodies get pains or contract a certain disease. Most elder women have their family members, e g. children, grand children, taken care for when they get sick. The proportion of elder women receiving care from medical workers is very low. In addition, the study detects that elder women are very likely to be marginalized since they do not participate in community meetings and have neither time nor opportunity for social communication. Accordingly, it is suggested that there be specific programs responding to elder women's needs, particularly the need of communication and participation in community activites.

Changes in female criminal structure in urban renovation

Settement of marriage and domestic disputes: From perspectives of the poor and gender equality

The issue of marriage and domestic disputes has attracted concerns of many researchers. In Vietnam, there has been a rather complete legislative system to deal with those disputes. Settlement of the disputes are considered and made on the basis of various perspectives including sociological and legislative ones. This article analyzes the settlement of the disputes through courts from perspectives of the poor and gender equality. The authors elaborate capacity and conditions of the poor, particularly poor women with respect to access to courts, emerging issues during realizing judgments, especially gender issues concerning settlement of marriage and domestic disputes. The article also offers some recommendations in a bid to enhance poor women's capacity and ensure gender equality in settlement of marriage and domestic disputes.

Social behavior patterns in Family meals today-differences between rural and urban areas

This article introduces findings of a study on social behavior patterns in family meals conducted in 2004 in two areas of Ninh Binh province, one of which represents for rural areas and a ward represents for urban ones with the total sample of 483 households. In this article, gender relations in division of labor for activities relating to family meals are clarified. In addition, there is analysis of some behaviors at dinning table such as participation of family members in the meals, greetings before eating, prioritized persons in family meals in both rural and urban areas. At the same time, some ideas and comments of local people on the change are also noted. It is concluded that the social behavior patterns in family meals in both areas of the survey embody changes in response to their local socio-economic features. Rural families are likely to be closer to traditional patterns while urban families have been experienced dramatic changes under impacts of urbanization.

The question of child abuse in Vietnam today