Sự im lặng của phụ nữ và sự hoà thuận trong gia đình: Thái độ và hành vi tình dục của phụ nữ nông thôn có gia đình, số 8, 2005

Vietnamese women have been challengedwith various sexual and reproductive health problems such as abortion, RTIs and sexual coercion. However, there is still a lack of adequate information on attitudes and practices regarding sex and sexuality of Vietnamese women. This research study employed qualitative methodology was conducted in a Northern rural community to explore sexual attitudes and practices among rural married women in a broad social and cultural context. Twenty-five women and six men were interviewed; and four focus group discussions were conducted. The findings show that women believe that men are initiators in sexual relations, while women are passive. Some women believe that they have the right to say no when their husbands demand sex, some others do not think they have this right or feel reluctant to refuse their husbands. The communication about sex and sexuality between husband and wife still is limited. However, women are not totally passive in sexual relations. They use different strategies in their sexual life, and sometimes, “silence” is used as a form of agency in order to keep harmony and the happiness in their family.