Girls born in 1980s: prettier, smarter, and bolder
VOV.VN - “They are so trendy, dynamic and know how to enjoy life,” – this is just one of many remarks about the so-called “8x” girls.
The Doi Moi (renovation) process initiated in 1986 has unleashed the country’s productive forces and also given a new lease of life to women’s liberation and advancement.
Hoa Hoc Tro, an innovative popular magazine for teenagers, coined the computer-style term “8x generation” to designate those who were born and grew up in the 1980s and have distinguished themselves from the previous generations in different ways.
8x girls appear more beautiful and stylish with a better sense of aesthetics; they do care about their appearance and know how to improve it through diet, exercise, dressing, and special treatment. Instead of being demure, they dare to show their physical beauty.
8x girls also feel more freedom to discuss taboo issues like sex, which they understand better and are eager to know. Quite a few girls accept premarital sex and trial marriage, which used to be unusual in Vietnamese culture. Some even triggered social controversy with their scandals.
Families with 8x daughters tend to see big gaps between generations. The girls acquire considerable knowledge of science, English and computers and think differently from their parents who want them to have a steady job in state agencies. Businesses, including joint ventures with attractive salaries and working environment, become their first choice.
8x ladies are eroding the stereotype of passive housewives by increasingly getting involved in social activities as career women, businesspeople, leaders, and volunteers.
VOVNews interviewed several girls of this age group, who openly shared their points of view and other personal information.
Phuong Thao, PR staff at Fortuna Hotel:
Born in 1982, Thao is endowed with an ideal height (1.72m) for Vietnamese ladies. She holds two BA degrees in English and Chinese and a PR certificate. She is now responsible for PR activities of the Singaporean-invested hotel Fortuna located in downtown Hanoi and teaches aerobics after hours.
“My father has been very sad as I’m a girl, not a boy,“ Thao said. Deeply affected by Confucianism and pressure from relatives, her father wished to have a son, but eventually gave birth to only two daughters!
Despite this fact, Thao has tried hard to prove herself. When at junior high school, she was chosen as class monitor for her self-confidence and cleverness. In her position, the little girl always acted to protect the truth and the “legitimate” interests of her classmates. Teachers at the school still remember her as a monitor that dared to argue with them when they did something wrong.
Thao later demonstrated her special dynamism by studying simultaneously at two colleges while working part-time as an English teacher at London Education, a wholly foreign invested company, and as an excellent aerobics instructor for luxurious hotels in Hanoi like Daewoo, Melia and Sheraton.
When learning aerobics at a gym, Thao found the teaching program there rather boring with lots of repetition. She immediately came up with new ideas to improve it. She suggested combining different music genres and using Vietnamese music, which was unprecedented at that time. The exercises designed and composed by her gained positive feedback from aerobics learners, including foreigners. The CDs featuring her exercises were broadcast on Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV).
Though busy with work at hotels, Thao remains highly concerned with the country’s politics. She admires female leaders such as Ton Nu Thi Ninh and Nguyen Thi Binh. She is especially impressed by PM Nguyen Tan Dung, who she believes will give new impetus to the country’s development.
The modern girl said she prides herself on being Vietnamese. “I totally disagree with people who always complain about the weaknesses of the country and feel shy about their nationality, but do nothing to change the situation,” Thao said. “Ask not what the country can do for you – ask what you can do for the country,” she quoted US President John F. Kennedy as saying.
Huyen My, Leasing officer at ANZ Bank Vietnam:
22-year-old Huyen My was recruited as leasing officer at Australia’s ANZ bank in Vietnam after graduating from La Trobe University early this year with a distinction bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration.
“I chose this major because I wanted to enrich myself and my family, and I anticipated a strong financial development in Vietnam in the near future,” the cute and fashionable girl said.
My, who can sing well and serve as an MC in a confident manner, is a typical extrovert who enjoys spending time with friends and social activities. While at junior high school, she took an elementary vocal course in the Hanoi Arts College. Later in 2000, she performed songs at the International Children Festival held in Tianjin, China, which lasted 17 days with the participation of children from 17 countries.
My has initiated and actively participated in many events for ANZ’s staff in Vietnam, such as a festival on international children’s day, and a big party with various performances and games to celebrate the Mid-autumn festival.
She and her colleagues volunteered to visit and help infants and small children in Tay Dang 4 orphanage, Duong Lam, Son Tay town under a recent charitable program by staff from ANZ, the World Bank, UNDP and some other organizations. “The babies were so lovely and I love them so much,” My glowed with cheer. “But they were very pitiful. Each baby had very poor daily rations worth less than half a dollar.” During her trip, My and co-workers provided money, clothes and care for the children, who expressed special attachment to the volunteers.
A dynamic young woman, My also holds up to 10 English classes at her home after work hours. “It’s rather tiring but I like meeting people, especially children, and sharing my knowledge of English as well as Anglo-American culture,” My told me in her sweet voice. “I haven’t advertised my courses, but my relatives and neighbours believe in my English skills.” My’s classes cater for a variety of learners, from small children to high school pupils or graduates who want to master a job interview.
However, My confessed that she is not good at cooking. “I want to succeed in my career and I’m trying hard when still young. When I reach a certain age, I’ll manage to learn kitchen skills carefully. At the moment, I’m resorting to alternative solutions such as restaurants and helpers,” My contemplated for a while, adding that she would strive to balance career and family.
Quynh Huong, senior at Academy of Journalism and Communication:
The 21-year-old girl born in mountainous Thai Nguyen province has a simple, countryside beauty, which belies her impressive strong personality. She is serious and affectionate, but also very witty and playful. Classmates admire her as a monitor of diligence, decisiveness and sound management.
A fourth-year student of online journalism, Huong always seems to be thirsty for knowledge. She has devoured huge piles of books of various types, especially those with philosophical or scientific characteristics like Wolf Totem, The World Is Flat, The Da Vinci Code, or The Elementary Particles. “I used to read romantic fiction but now I prefer novels written by scientists,” Huong said. “Vietnamese youths need knowledge to forge a long-range view of themselves and the world.” She likes western logic and critical thinking. Inspired by profound Wolf Totem, she advocates that the nation should adopt a stronger character to be successful. “Being a sheep, you are likely to be eaten!”
Huong displays a true earnest effort in studying journalism. “Aside from theoretical knowledge, you need to constantly improve your skills through practice. You must plunge yourself into reality, fearing nothing even though you are a woman.” Huong added that she is striving to achieve an excellent academic record so that she will be noticed and offered jobs by recruiters. She also sets her sights on an MA course overseas after graduating in Vietnam. “It is essential to raise your own value,” she concluded.
Proficient in application software programs like Photoshop and Cool Edit, Huong has spent much time designing and writing her blogs on various social network websites such as Yahoo, Hotmail, FaceBook and MySpace. This is a way for her to practise journalistic skills as well as sharing feelings and thoughts with friends domestically and internationally.
Huong described herself as “boyish” and adventurous. She has always endeavoured to be independent and to do whatever a boy can do, for instance mending simple electric devices. Trips to remote areas really interest her. She once got on train with a cousin and travelled to the south to explore beautiful places there. She also enjoys singing, dancing and performing plays naturally before a large crowd, which could be a great embarrassment to many girls.
Her sociable and zealous nature has led Huong to join many volunteer campaigns launched by the youth union chapter in her journalism institute over the past three years. She was officially admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam in June this year for her social activities and academic achievements.
The young party member recalled her recent trip to the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, where volunteers like her were assigned to help locals with house renovating, crop harvesting, blood donation, road clearing and health care and education for children. A girl in her 12-member team in Ha Giang was killed on duty, Huong said in a lower voice.
That ill-fated girl, named Nguyen Thi Thanh Le, fell into a deep spring and was carried away by its fast-flowing water. Not until two hours later did locals succeed in fishing her out. The petite girl, another excellent and enthusiastic volunteer, born in Phu Tho province, was just 20 years old. “Her death makes me and other friends treasure life more and we all promise to lead a meaningful life in memory of her,” Huong said. Thanh Le, a would-be communist, is one of the 15 youth volunteers who have laid down their lives while on duty since 2000./.