Gender Differences in Young People's Livelihood Strategies in Vietnam

Sajeda Amin, Population Council
Vu Manh Loi, University of Washington
Sara Peracca, Population Council

Vietnam's economic liberalization policies and greater global integration have far-reaching implications for the society as a whole. Although the impact of globalization on the economy is well-documented, the social impact and implications of these changes on the lives of young people is not well-known. This paper explores data from an in-depth study of four communities in rural Vietnam conducted in 2003. Time use and a number of other quantitative and qualitative survey instruments are used to provide multiple perspectives on gender differences in work patterns. Vietnamese households appear to have reacted to growing opportunities in more dynamic and complex ways in term of gender-based division of labor than many observers would assume. For certain types of work at certain life cycle periods men tend to have more participation in the traditionally female works now than before and vice versa for women's participation in traditionally male work.