ILLNESSES AND THE GENDER DIFFERENCE OF RURAL RESIDENTS IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Based on the data of health population research in 12 rural communes in three major regions of Vietnam in 2013/14 conducted by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) and the Social Sciences Research Council (SSRC), the paper finds out what differentiates the illnesses based on gender of rural residents. Approaching the school of cultural relativism, this paper argues that gender norms have led to the differences between men and women in illnesses. In addition, the behavioral stereotypes such as “A man without spirits is like a flag without wind” or “Men do big jobs, women do small jobs” have directly had the different effects on the health of men and women.

Keywords: acute illness, chronic illness, gender difference