Your say: How to protect women from abuse
Next week: Despite society's efforts to publicise the negative effects of domestic violence and its prevention, a recent case in northern Vinh Phuc Province where the abuser was a well-educated salaried man, has again brought to the fore the position of Vietnamese wives in modern times.
The wife – the victim of the case – was beaten and humiliated by her husband many times after she confronted him about his extra-marital affair. It became a public issue when she was hospitalised with injuries to 17 per cent of her body after two days of being confined, beaten and sexual abused. But when interviewed, the woman still defended her marriage, claiming that she was afraid of a divorce to keep face for her husband and to avoid possible loneliness.
From childhood, many girls in Viet Nam become familiar with Confucianism. They are taught that a virtuous woman is supposed to uphold "three subordinations": be subordinate to her father before marriage, to her husband after marriage, and to her son after her husband dies. As a result, many comments about the case on forums and social networks maintained that the wife's defensive attitude was understandable.
Does your country adhere to this Confucianist principle? Or is there any similar custom in your community? Do you think such adherence is part of the cause of domestic violence? How can young women in Viet Nam protect themselves from abuse?
We welcome your opinions. Emails should be sent to opinion.vietnamnews@gmail.com. Letters can be sent to The Editor, Viet Nam News, 11 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. Replies to this week's questions must be received be Friday morning, December 9.