Structural Functionalism in Vietnam

The social theory of Structural Functionalism can be explained by analysing the Vietnamese society. A society is like each organ in the body, it has a particular role to fulfil and produce a healthy functioning body. Likewise, each part of society has a function to perform to produce a stable society that solves the basic needs that all societies seem to have. Vietnamese society is based on traditional values and the core family unit, but due to external forces and influences, has found itself in a difficult situation. By using the concepts of family, values, traditions, change, identity, heritage, conflict and institutions, I will demonstrate how structural functionalism can be used to understand social change Vietnam.

The Vietnamese culture is based on fundamental principles or values including the collective nature of society and the family. This has an impact on all family members. The misbehaviour of an individual reflects badly on the whole the family. Likewise, the success of an individual will bring honour and pride to the family members. The family unit therefore needs to work together to save face and hold position in society.

Vietnam as a society is subjected to both continuity; meaning the unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time,

and change meaning to make or become different. The family unit is the most important structure in Vietnamese society. However, The Vietnamese family institution has been weakened as a result of changes in the workforce. After the Doi Moi (in English is translated to ‘revolution')[ which is the economic reforms initiated in Vietnam in 1986 with the goal of creating a ‘socialist-oriented market economy' ], women were required to join the paid workforce to fill the vacant positions of the increased employment. This challenged this traditional values and consensus in Vietnam. Traditional values expected that women were responsible for the home. Therefore, the government introduced propaganda