HO CHI MINH NATIONAL ACADEMY OF POLITICS
NGUYEN THI VAN
CONFUCIANISM “THREE OBEDIENCES AND
FOUR VIRTUES” THEORY AND ITS IMPACTS
ON VIETNAMESE WOMEN NOWADAYS
Major : CNDVBC & CNDVLS
Code : 62 22 80 05
Summary of doctoral thesis
HANOI - 2014
The work has been completed at Ho Chi Minh National
Academy of Politics
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. NGUYEN HUNG HAU
Defender No. 1:
Defender No. 2:
Defender No. 3:
The Thesis will be defended in front of Thesis Defense Committee at
Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics
At hour day month 2014
Further information: National Linbrary of Vietnam and Library of Ho Chi
Minh National Academy of Politics
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INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale
Confucianism was born in Spring and Autumn- Warring States
Period. This is the most turbulent time with significant fluctuations in
Chinese history.In such context, Confucianismfollowers explained social
matters and wished to find out the methods in order to bring the society
frompolitical chaos to prosperity. One of those methods is human ethics
education.
Human ethics education of Confucianismfocused on fundamental
categories such as ThreeBonds (King-teacher-father), FivePrecepts

important factor, in which the women account for large proportion and
play an important role in families and the society. The renovation leads to
changes in evaluation criteria of the society and family towards the women
in order to meet new demands of the period. Nowadays, Vietnamese
women must focus on comprehensive beauty andknowledge, be good at
both public and family matters, and participate in social activities
actively
If the rules and norms of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues”
theory are used in an appropriate way, it will become an important factor
to enhance the position and role of women in the Vietmanese modern
society. It leads to the fact that it is necessary to study current status and
impacts of Confucianism “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory
among Vietnamese women nowadays in order to promote the positive
values and to limit negative impacts on the women’sliberation.
From the theoritical and practical basis above, I choose the topic: "
Confucianism“Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory and its impacts
on Vietnamese women" for my dotoral thesis
2. Objectives and tasks of research thesis
2.1. Research objectives
In order to clarify main contents of Confucianism“Three Obediences
and Four Virtues” theory in China and Vietnam, analyze its impacts, this
thesis proposes some view points and measures to promote its positive
values and to limit negative impacts on Vietnamese women nowadays.
2.2. Research tasks
- To clarify basic contents of “Three Obediences and Four Virtues”
theory of Chinese confucianismand Vietnamese Confucianism.
- To clarifu curent status of positive and negative impacts of
Confucianism “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory on
Vietnamese women in the past and nowadays.
- To propose some measures for promoting its positive values and to

to promote the positive values and to limit the negative impacts of “Three
Obediences and Four Virtues” theoryon Vietnamese women nowadays.
6. Theoritical and practical meanings of the thesis
6.1. Theoritical meanings
The thesis clarifies “Three Obediences and Four Virtues” theory of
Confucianismand its impacts on Vietnamese women nowadays.
6.2. Practical meanings
- The research results of this thesis may be used as reference for
planning and executing policieson women affairs by the Communist Party
and the State nowadays.
- The thesis many be used as reference for studying Confucianismin
Vietnam, role, and position of Vietnamese women nowadays.
7. Structure of the thesis
In addition to the preamble, conclusion, and reference, this thesis is
consisted of 4 chapters, 11 sections.
Chapter 1
OVERVIEW ON TOPIC-RELATED STUDIES
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1.1. Research work on Confucianism ethics and “Three
Obedience and Four Virtues” theory in Confucianism
Studies on Confucianism ethics in general and “Three Obediences and
Four Virtues” theory in particular: Dao Duy Anh (1938), Confucianism
Essay Reviews,Quan Hai Tung Thu Publisher, Hue; Tran Trong Kim
(2006), Confucianism,Culture and Information Publisher, Hanoi; Phan Boi
Chau (1998), Confucianism, Culture and Information Publisher, Hanoi;
Quang Dam (1994),Confucianismin the past and nowadays, Literature
Publisher, Hanoi; Tran Van Giau (1985),Traditional spiritual Value in
Vietnam, Social science Publisher, Hanoi; Quang Dam (1994),
Confucianismin the past and nowadays, Literature Publisher, Hanoi; Phan
Dai Doan (1998), Some Confucianismissues in Vietnam,National Political

"Confucianism and cultural behavior of Vietnamese common people in the
marital relationship and family", Cultural and Art Journal, (04-226).
1.3. Research works specifying viewpoints and solutions for the
promotion of positive effects and limitation of negative effects by the
“Three obediences, Four virtues” theory on Vietnamese present
women
Disseminating and educating quality and ethics of Vietnamese women
in the cause of national industrialization and modernization- Program 343,
The Ministry of Education and Training; Hard-working, good appearance,
well-spoken, well-behaved nowadays by Le Thi Bung, Nguyen Thi Van
Huong ; Effects of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory on Vietnamese
in ancient and present times- University-level scientific research theme by
Hoang Thi Thuan; Duong Thi Minh (2004) – University of Education , the
Book titled “Vietnamese family and roles of women in present time”, National
Political Publishing House, Hanoi; Le Minh(1997), the Book titled
“Vietnamese women in the family and society”, Labor Publishing House; Le
Thi (2004), the Book titled “ Family, Vietnamese women and population,
culture and sustainable development”, Social Science Publishing House,
Hanoi; (2006).
The works has clarified basic categories and principles of the
Confucianism: concepts and contents of the “three obediences, four
virtues” theory in the development history of the Confucianism in China
and Confucianism in Vietnam; summarizing some traditional ethical
characteristics of Vietnamese people and specifying remains of
Confucianism ethics required to eliminate in the cause of building
socialism in Vietnam; demonstrating causes of feudal ethical remains and
several orientations for eliminating its negative effects and promote its
positive effects on Vietnamese present women.
Nevertheless, there have not had any independent, systematic and in-
depth works summarizing and analyzing the “three obediences, four

ethical thoughts of Zhou Dynasty. Zhou Dynasty highly appreciated the
thoughts of “God-worship”, “reception of peoples”, “virtuous’, “dutiful”.
These ideologies have affected the Confucian, as bases for building basic
categories over their theories such as Three bonds – Five Precepts, True name,
Three obediences – Four virtues, etc.
2.1.1.3. Confucius- founder of the Confucianism theory
Confucius (551 - 479 B.C) is the founder of Confucianism. He often
travelled to of preach the methods of national governance. In the upset
socio-economic situations of Zhou Dynasty, he founded the Confucianism
theory in the aim of directing human beings towards their true name.
Thereby, a new society is disciplinary, peaceful and prosperous.
2.1.2. Positions of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory in
Confucianism ethics in China and their relationship
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2.1.2.1. Position of the “three obediences, four virtues” theory in
Confucianism ethics in China
Firstly, Confucianism focuses on building gentleman for social
ruling, thereby not discussing women a lot. Nonetheless, “three
obediences, four virtues” theory was still mentioned when integrating it
with other categories such as three bonds, five precepts, true name.
Secondly, Confucianism considers family as a minimized society and
society as an extended family; therefore, the “three obediences, four
virtues” theory in the system of Confucianism ethics has been founded to
stabilize social order.
Thirdly, underlying purpose of the “three obediences, four virtues”
theory is for protecting status of the ruling class.
Fourthly, the “three obediences, four virtues” theory is the most
important standard, the most basic requirement of Confucianism ethics
over women. There is the integral relationship between them, helping
women possess a finished beauty under the Confucianism’s standards

Confucius and Mercius established the “three obediences, four
virtues” theory to teach women. In terms of four virtues, Confucius
especially appreciated the “virtue” of women. Virtue is the base of
Hardworking- Good appearance- Well-spoken. In terms of virtues for
parents, Confucius especially respects the dutifulness. Mercius also
requested the women to “obey” their husband and human’s family.
2.1.4.2. “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of Confucianism in
Han Dynasty
In late Warring States period, Qin Dynasty used “legal ruling” to
unify and rule the country. Dong Trong Thu was the person making
considerable contributions to the restoration of Confucianism after
“burning books and burying scholars” by Qin Shi Huang.
In terms of women’s roles, Dong Trong Thu put forward the thought
of “obeying their husband in everything" – the wife must obey anything
that her husband has said regardless of rightness or wrongness.
Confucianism in Han Dynasty became an effective mental ruling tool of
the centralized autocratic state. Therefore, the “three obediences, four
virtues” theory is more strict to women, known as a base with paternalistic
and patriarchal thoughts.
2.1.4.3. “Three obediences, four virtues” theory of Confucianism in
Song Dynasty
For women, Confucianism strengthens the ideology “Male
Supremacy” (to value men above women)", "Father - Husband - Son".
More unfortunately, Confucianism has the extreme view about a woman's
virginity. Cheng Yisaid that: "starve is the little, losing the virginity is the
biggest." This isthe most typical evidence for the grim and strict Confucian
for women.
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2.2. The theory of “Father - Husband - Son” (three submissions)
and “Work-Appearance- Word- Character” (four virtues) in

The aforementioned fundamental factors have changed the theory of
three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism. Those
were also the foundation to regulate the contents and features of the theory
of three submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism.
2.2.3. Overview of the content and feature of the theory of three
submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism
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2.3.3.1. The contents of the theory of three submissions and four
virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism
The contents of the theory of three submissions and four virtues in
Vietnamese Confucianism have been shown in the family songs, feudal
laws. In general, this content is very little different from Chinese
Confucianism.
2.3.3.2. Some fundamental features of the theory of the three
submissions and four virtues in Vietnamese Confucianism
Firstly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues have been
admitted and appreciated by Vietnamese feudal laws.
In the feudal period, most laws had the content relating to women,
especially Hong Duc Law and Gia Long Law. In general, although there
were a lot of advantages in comparison with Chinese, these laws still had
the ideology of Male Supremacy. They had forced women to depend on
men. “Nguyen dynasty” was significantly influenced by Confucianism;
therefore they had the extreme view about the women’s virginity and
appreciated “virginal women”
Secondly, the theory of three submissions and four virtues has been
built by the Confucianism trend and under the form of family songs.
Some people say that: “It is difficult to teach women” and they also
slight women because of their illiteracy, from those, in the feudal period,
Confucians trended to write the theory of three submissions and four
virtues under the form of poems, family songs - those to teach women. In

Ms.Ba Cai Vang, etc. Those good examples are always in hearts of the
people. The noble beauty of Vietnamese women have made the theory of
three submissions and four virtues change in Vietnam and have
fundamental differences with this ideology in China
Conclusion of Chapter 2
As a political, social and moral theory, Confucianism became a tool
to protect the status of the ruling class. Confucianism advocates to educate
the morality for people to bring the society from chaos statement from
peaceful and prosperous statement. The category of moral education of
women is mentioned primarily in the theory of three submissions and four
virtues.
The theory of three submissions and four virtues gave the moral
standards that women have to listen. Besides the positive values, such as
teaching women to complete their appearance beauty and spirit beauty, the
theory also brought a lot of negative effects that included the idea: “Male
Supremacy” being deeply into social life. Etiology of this thought is that
Confucian would like to educate women under their standards to maintain
family order and more importantly social order and the final aim is to
protect the status of the ruling class.
Confucianism has deeply affected the social life of the East Asian
countries, including Vietnam. It is worth noting that Confucianism in
Vietnam was converted with a number of contents or in other words, it was
"softened" and "refracted" to suit Vietnamese life. Therefore, in Vietnam,
the negative nature of this theory has decreased more than Confucian in
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China. In Vietnam, the status of women is respected than women in other
Asian countries.
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Chapter 3
EFFECTS OF THE THEORY OF THREE SUBMISSIONS AND

Sixthly, there is inequality in reproductive health care and family
planning.
Seventhly, there is inequality in accessing to resources and
opportunities for development.
Eighthly, there is inequality in internal and external affairs.
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Ninthly, many husbands still have serious paternalism that leads to
domestic violence, gratuitous jealousy, binding the wife with household
chores, prohibiting the wife from expanding her social relationships.
Tenthly, there are some men who are indifferent to academic and
fame career of their wife.
Nowadays, although the Law regulates that if husband is dead, wife
is allowed to get married another man, she still has responsibility for her
children; the negativity of ideology “her sons in widowhood” actually still
has some effects although its influence is not too much high. That is in the
case of husband’s death, the wife is afraid of public opinion so she doesn’t
dare to marry again. Besides that, the woman whose husband died has
lived alone and sacrificed her own happiness to bring up her children but
her children are undutiful to her.
Secondly, the psychology of Male supremacy (to value men above
women) is also reflected clearly in the need of male birth.
The paternalism and male-supremacy of Confucianism have been
rooted in people’s life, therefore, people in families highly evaluate male-
birth and find any way to be born a son. These radical thoughts and actions
make our country become one of countries having the highest abortion rate
and gender imbalance rate in the world.
Thirdly, the psychology of Male supremacy is also reflected through
the property division and investment level for children.
Many families focused investing education, property division for boys
more than for girls. The reason of this matter is that the son is considered as

his children. Significantly, in cases of domestic violence from the husband
to the wife, there are few wives denouncing their husbands because they
are afraid the public opinion that “to be ashamed as husband as wife” or
“air your dirty linen in public”
3.1.2. The negative effects of theory of Three obediences and Four
Virtues to Vietnamese women in society today
3.1.2.1. The theory of Three obediences and Four Virtues has limited
the posibility of participating social acitivities of women
Người The women are affected by the ideology “male-supremacy”,
“women with smug feeling” from their husbands and their relatives, so
they do not get support to develop social activities from these people. On
the other hand, there are many women who are dependent too much, not
trying to overcome difficulties and change their situations, but accepting
the dependent life to their husbands. This has made them create distance in
participating in social activities.
3.1.2.2. The theory of Three obediences and Four Virtues has limited
the posibility of being agencies’ leaders of women
With the main ideology “Male-supremacy”, the theory of Three
obediences and Four Virtues is a barrier not only for women’s social activities
participation but also their being leader possibility.
Affected by the ideology “male – supremacy”, men have disregarded
the position and role of women in social activities. On the other hand, not
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only men have improper look to women, but also even women haven’t
overcome ancient prejudices to themselves and others.
3.1.2.3. The theory of Three obediences and Four Virtues is barrier
causing gender inequality in acessing and enjoying social interests
The negativities of theory of Three obediences and Four Virtues,
gender prejudices are the cause of the disparity in opportunities for
employment, income and promotion between male and female. The reason of

taking care their family, which makes their family unstable, their children
are not got personality-education perfectly. Women should realize that
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their natural role as wife, mom and the person building family nest is their
responsibility. They should manage their time suitably to solve work of
family and society.
Modest appearance
Appearance according to Confucianism’s concept is understood as
physical beauty, expressed through natural appearance combined with
costumes and make-up that makes a general decency. Nowadays, material
and spiritual life is increasingly improving, women have chance to taking
care their outside beauty. They come to beauty salon, learn to makeup,
dressing. However, there are many women have learned flashy Western
dressing style… which not consistent with Vietnamese traditions.
Therefore, appearance concept of Confucianism is much more valuable
when it help to form modern beauty of women to traditional standards.
Proper speech
Speech is focused on courteous, discreet, sound of soft words,
listening easily. Because of the nature of work, women cannot be too shy
anytime, anywhere as the former women. To meet the increasing demands
of modern society, language in communication is gradually intellectual and
scientific.
We need to look straight into the limitations of using the language of
women today. That is "slang" language, bad words, or questions with
content lack of transparency. Before the situation above, the speech of
women must be polite, respect and order, which still are the necessary
principles for effort of women in modern society.
Behavior
This is the foundation of human, the moral of man. Woman's virtue is
expressed including domestic skills, appearance, speech and behavior.

In new conditions, the traditional ethic values of women have been
had contradictions, the struggle between progress and backwardness;
healthy honesty and loyalty lifestyle and pragmatic, deceitful, selfish,
battens lifestyle or for money. New ethics of women in the new society
must to struggle with other ethical systems and struggle to innovate
traditional values as well as affirm themselves in changing conditions.
3.4.2. Contradiction between conservative and outdated concepts of
three obediences and four virtues with advanced viewpoints in building
the modern ethic standard of Vietnam women today
Firstly, the conservative and outdated concepts are due to the
negative influences of three obediences and four virtues.
Secondly, in consistent with requirements of industrialization and
modernization of the country, we have been putting out the advanced
qualities of modern Vietnam women.
However, when inheriting the traditional moral values of the nation, it
needs to firmly reject the old, outdated or inappropriate traditions as well
as by practice to affirm the new values occurring in consistent with new
development stage of country. The new ethics of women are to struggle
with conservative, outdated viewpoints of three obediences and four
virtues, as well as to self renewal and affirm in new conditions.
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3.4.3. Contradiction between promoting social positive of women with
the viewpoint to underestimate the role of women of men and the passive,
complex and surrender viewpoint of women
The social positive of women is their activeness, creation, and
enthusiasm in meaningful activities to promote social progress and women.
The positive of women, however, is dominated, held back by negatives in
three obediences and four virtues which are the viewpoints to
underestimate the role of women in men and the passive, complex and
surrender viewpoint of women.

Vietnamese women nowadays
4.1.1. Fostering the opinions of the Communist Party of Vietnam
and Ho Chi Minh in inheriting the value of Three obediences and four
virtues for Vietnamese women nowadays
Ho Chi Minh always appreciates the position and value of women in
the society. Besides, he also pointed out the negative effects of the
previous thoughts on women. Therefore, he highly values the women’s
liberation. He argues that women should be independent in the following
fields:
First, on politics
Second, on economics
Third, on culture
Fourth, on society-family field
The Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government have made
several undertakings and policies on women’s liberation. For example,
Resolution No. 04/NQ-TW (12/7/1993), Directive No. 28 CT-TW
(19/9/1993), Directive No. 37/CT (16/5/1994), Directive No. 54/CT-TW
(22/5/2000), Directive 07/CT-TW (25/01/2002), Resolution No. 11/NQ-
TW on the women’s careers in the period of national industrialization and
modernization and the Government has issued Resolution No.
19/2003/ND-CP (7/3/2003) and Gender equality laws passed on November
2006 by the National Assembly facilitate Vietnamese Women’s Union to
participate in the state administration regarding women’s rights and
benefits; Resolution of 10
th
National Congress of the Communist party of
Vietnam states that: “Improving the capacities on physical and spiritual life
and ensuring the gender equality. Facilitating women to fulfill their roles
as residents, laborers, mothers and the first teachers of the human races.
Fostering and training the women to participate in the social activities,

Second, promoting economic development in order to encourage
women’s involvement and ensure equal labor resources
Third, implementing the practical measures to overcome the gender
distinction in the area of mastering resources and political voice
Fourth, all the levels and sectors need to promote the propagation
and dissemination to all staffs, members, and the masses about women’s
important roles and positions in all social fields as well as in the domestic
family, thereby contributing to rapidly powerful change in the existing
gender stereotypes
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Fifth, expanding the international cooperation and exchanges. This is
consistent with international trends, international economic integration
nowadays.
For women:
First, improving physical health
Second, taking care of their appearance
Third, having adequate knowledge and culture
Fourth, having stable careers
Fifth, having cultural lifestyles
Sixth, being creative and dynamic
4.2.3. Improving customs and practices, building new customs and
practices to minimize the negative effects and enhance the positive
effects of Three Obediences and Four Virtues for Vietnamese women
nowadays
To implement this strategy, some following measures should be
taken:
First, promoting gender equality with the aim of gradually removing
male chauvinism in the domestic family and the society
Second, appreciating women’s position and roles through traditional
festivals

gender equality
Fourth, the economy is the social foundation, so the economic
development is the basis to solve the social contradictions
Fifth, strictly handling the violations to social policies and gender
inequality for women
Conclusion of Chapter 4
Ho Chi Minh always appreciates the position and value of women in
the society. He highly values and offers the advanced thoughts in the
women’s liberation. Therefore, mastering Ho Chi Minh's ideology on
women's liberation in the proposal of policy and direction of the work of
women is very important. On that basis, we offer specific solutions to
promote positive factors and limit negative factors. We need to carry out
the proposed directions and solutions.
However, it is necessary to confirm that these solutions should be
implemented systematically at all levels of the government in the social
areas with women’s participation. In particular, an important factor which
leads to the success of this career is women themselves, so they must
change their thoughts and have proper awareness of their roles and
positions in the family and society to perform “self-liberating” actions for
improving the quality of their own life.