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T
he family meal is one of the most important things in
a family; it is a time when all generations can come
together and share. Through these meals, the tra-
ditional values, customs, and etiquette of elders are
passed on to the children of the family.
Moreover, the traditional family meal is also important to
maintaining the bond between husband and wife. No matter
how poor the meal, they enjoy it in happiness together.
In Vietnamese tradition, the women play the role of
housewife. Since the highest status in Vietnamese family is
given to the father, he long had absolute authority in the
household. As he provided the main source of income, he
was never expected to work in the kitchen, or to cook. After
work, he returned home and relaxed. As a head of household,
he had the final decision on all matters. The father, however,
had the duty to exercise restraint and wisdom in running his
family in order to deserve his respected position.
ALL CHANGE
Minh was taken by his father to buy food at the market
when he was just 10. He now cooks the meal by himself
whenever his wife is busy.
“The custom of men cooking has existed in my family for
long time; that’s why I am happy to help my wife to do house
work,” Minh says. According to Minh, modern men should
know how to do house work and cook.
Today, it is less common to see a meal attended by a
full family, especially in urban areas. According to Tran Thi
Phuong Hoa, deputy chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh Women
Association, from 30 to 40 per cent of Vietnamese families are
now not eating together.
In big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, parents
are busy. They get up early in the morning and take their
children to school before going to work and the children
eat at school.
In Vietnam, a family meal has long been an integral part of daily life, but the
times are changing and busy schedules are leading to the loss of this important
tradition. By
Bich Ngoc.
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SOCIETY AT LARGE
LIVING
BREAKING BREAD