Hello Chi. Va^n, I think you're right, the original VN society had a matriarchal structure but, with the Chinese domination and heavy cultural influence, we adopted the Confucian social model (tam to`ng, tu*' du*'c, etc) and went too far down the path of tro.ng nam khinh nu*~. However, I recall that in the old days of the SVN government there were a few female senators in our SVN Parliament and in the NVN Armed Forces there are quite a few high ranking female officers (colonels and generals), so women sometimes do play an important part in our society and, of course, as I said a few times previously, they often are the main bread winner of the family or, at least, do contribute their share to the family finances. Khai -----Original Message----- From: Vanthdo@xxxxxxx [mailto:Vanthdo@xxxxxxx] Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 4:52 PM To: jjr69@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jjr69] Re: Vietnam's Women Of War Hi Annette and anh Dat, Annette, you are 100% correct about the bad lot of the women in VN. However, please know that everywhere in the world, and even here in the U.S., women do not really fare that much better. I have encountered very sad cases in my pro bono work for battered women, and domestic violence is still THE big killer of women. Women still have a long way to go to enjoy the same rate of pay, the same treatment from employers, and the same fundamental rights as men, despite the apparent and superficial conclusions that we have done a lot better than before. I don't personally think our Vietnamese culture breeds wife battering. In fact, I tend to think that, compared to some other men, Vietnamese men tend to be more gentle with their women (there are exceptions, of course). One of the reasons may be because they tend to be less possessive and more detached toward their women. This is my personal observation based on my life experience, and what I have seen working as a legal aid lawyer among different ethnic groups. In addition, did not our culture start out as a matriarchal system? I am probably wrong on this, but I vaguely remember that from my Vietnamese Civilization Class at Dai Hoc Van Khoa some 30 years ago. Van EOM NOTICE - This message and any attached files may contain information that is confidential and/or subject of legal privilege intended only for use by the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this message in error and that any dissemination, copying or use of this message or attachment is strictly forbidden, as is the disclosure of the information therein. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately and delete the message.