WATERING THE NEIGHBOUR'S GARDEN: THE GROWING - CICRED

MARRIAGE MIGRATION BETWEEN VIETNAM AND TAIWAN…
“Most of the brides cannot get a good job in Taiwan. Not all of
the families they go to are rich so they have to work, but because
they have no skill, no education and even no language how can
they get work? If they get work their employers complain. There
are also problems in their work in the home. Some husbands
give their wives money to send home to their families. ”
One officer from TECO in Ho Chi Minh City said:
“It is my understanding that the main reason for conflict between
Vietnamese brides and their families-in-law is that the
ways of life in Vietnam and Taiwan are completely different.
The women thought that they would have a better life straight
away after they came to Taiwan but Taiwanese families expect a
great deal from their daughters-in-law such as earning money to
support the family, doing housework and taking care of children
and aged family members. When these women are unable to do
all of these tasks then conflicts emerge. ”
However, there are success stories among the marriage migrants.
From the 51 brides interviewed, 89 percent were satisfied with their
marriage because they found life in Taiwan better than in Vietnam and
because they were able to send money to help their families in Vietnam.
Some 14 percent of the women said they were completely happy
with their husbands and his relatives. The cause of their happiness was
that they were treated with respect from both their partners and parents-in-law
and felt that because the family cared for them they should
try their best to make them happy as well. The husbands of these
brides discussed nearly everything related to the family with them.
Some said they were involved in family decision-making.
“When he wants to do something important for the family, he
always discusses it with me and he respects my opinion. Related
to money, we have only one bank account and he put his income
in the account and we spend it together. ” (A bride from
Thoai Son, An Giang).
However these brides were often women who were more educated
and came from urban areas in Vietnam. Consequently, they were
more able to gain the trust of their husbands and parents-in-law than
those with less education.
Some brides reported that they gained love from their husbands
and respect from their parents-in-law because they gave birth to boys.
A bride from Thoai Son, An Giang province, said:
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