The reception of feminist ideas about gender and gender equality in Simone de Beauvoir’s “The second sex” in Vietnam

Abstract

In recent decades, as the world strives toward a democratic, just, equal, and progressive society for all, significant progress has been made in global gender equality. However, gender-based discrimination regarding fundamental human rights still persists in many places, particularly in poorer countries. These gaps or discriminations stem from gender prejudices that value men over women, and from a lack of profound and comprehensive understanding of women's roles and positions in society, often disregarding the principle of gender equality. Notably, gender equality is one of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, to which Vietnam has committed, aiming to achieve gender equality in key areas of social life. Currently, feminist theories and gender equality concepts are diverse and abundant, encompassing various perspectives. Nevertheless, in practice, women still do not enjoy true equality. In Vietnam, the feminist movement is not a protest against unjust laws or gender-discriminatory institutions, but rather against deeply rooted prejudices and norms that have disadvantaged women for centuries. In the feudal society, the image of women was incredibly diminutive, wholly dependent on men: “Preference for males over females.” These sayings caused women to forget their intrinsic value. Achieving the aforementioned goal requires the realization of freedom for women, progressing toward women's liberation and achieving gender equality. Based on these considerations, this article analyzes the reception of feminist ideas about gender and gender equality in Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" in Vietnam. By examining the historical and social context of Vietnam, the author aims to demonstrate how feminist ideas on gender equality in Beauvoir's work have influenced the perception of women's roles in contemporary Vietnamese society. The reception of these feminist ideas in Vietnam, whether positive or negative, contributes to a clearer understanding of the development of gender equality thought in the history of humanity in general and in Vietnam in particular.