Top 5 Persuasive Essays on Convincing Others to Abandon the Gender Bias of Preferring Sons Over Daughters (Literature 10)

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 1/5/2026

Content

1. Reference Article 4

2. Reference Article 5

3. Reference Article 1

4. Reference Article No. 2

5. Reference Article No. 3

1. Reference Article 4

Throughout history, our ancestors have passed down valuable moral teachings to guide future generations. However, among these teachings, some outdated customs still persist, one of which is the belief that "sons are more valuable than daughters." The terms "son" and "daughter" represent two distinct genders, but in this mindset, they are contrasted by the verbs "to value" and "to devalue." To "value" means to hold something in high regard, while "to devalue" means to disregard or disrespect. This mindset has been passed down from one generation to the next, creating the notion that men are the ones who achieve great things and hold important roles, while women are seen as inferior and incapable of achieving greatness. But is this notion still valid today? The concept of "valuing men and devaluing women" has existed for centuries, and in the context of today's developed society, it is clear that this mindset is limited by the social circumstances of its time. If we look at literary works from just a few decades ago, we see that women were often mistreated, disrespected, and pushed into the background. Characters like Thuy Kieu in Nguyen Du's *Truyen Kieu*, Vu Nuong in *Chuyen nguoi con gai Nam Xuong*, and women in ancient folk songs, such as "My body is like a silk ribbon, drifting in the market, who knows whose hands it will fall into?" reflect this longstanding inequality. Our ancestors believed that men, who were seen as the head of the household and the backbone of society, were destined for greatness. However, in today's modern world, I believe that this belief is no longer true. Women may not have the physical strength of men, but they possess resilience, endurance, and the noble spirit of sacrifice, which are just as valuable. We can clearly see the accomplishments of female heroes who have brought honor to the nation, such as swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, the Vietnam women's football team, and the renowned American chef Christine Ha. Yet, challenging a belief that has been ingrained for generations is no easy task. Despite this, women continue to struggle for true equality, as evidenced by the frequent reports of violence against women in countries like India and domestic abuse worldwide. While it may be difficult to entirely eliminate this belief, we can still work to reduce its impact. We must respect and love the women around us, share with them, and never belittle or discriminate against any gender. Although the belief of "preferring sons over daughters" may not be as widespread today, it still lingers like a small ember in many families, communities, and societies. It is the responsibility of every individual to help extinguish this lingering flame.

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2. Reference Article 5

Women, half of the world, have always played vital roles in life and society throughout history. However, these roles haven't always been recognized and respected by everyone in society, and we can clearly see this in the portrayal of women from ancient times to the present.

In feudal society, when Confucianism played a major role in the nation's education, it served as the intellectual standard for all students. Along with the many valuable aspects of Confucianism that could be applied to the nation’s construction and defense, it also held a major limitation: it diminished the role and status of women, treating them as lower in society, regardless of whether they were daughters of royalty or from wealthy families.

Thus, throughout the feudal period, the belief in 'patriarchy' deeply rooted in the Vietnamese mindset. Women were not allowed to go to school, to learn, or to visit sacred places like the Temple of Literature. Furthermore, their futures were not theirs to decide; they had to follow the decisions of their parents. When a young woman reached marriageable age, it was her parents, not herself, who would choose her spouse. The lives of women in the past were full of sorrow and inequality.

It is undeniable that, in such a society, women were like delicate flowers blown by the wind, disrespected by society and even their own fathers or husbands. The deeply ingrained patriarchy in people's minds and thoughts further devalued them.

Living in such a harsh, gender-discriminatory society, women had to become diligent, skillful, and possess virtues like those of Confucian ideals. They managed and nurtured their families, becoming the backbone that supported their husbands in their endeavors to earn a living. The proverb 'Men build houses, women build homes' likely arose from this context.

Time passed, feudal society and wars faded away, giving way to a more modern and progressive society. As society changed, so did the norms, especially regarding the role of women. Compared to previous generations, today’s women can receive an education just like men and pursue any profession they desire. In the present day, many companies are led by female entrepreneurs, and important government positions are held by women, such as Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Truong My Hoa.

Today, women are no longer forced to memorize the Confucian teachings on 'three obediences and four virtues' as a compulsory lesson. For example, the three obediences (obedient to the father at home, obedient to the husband when married, and obedient to the son when widowed) are a relic of the old society. In modern society, women who become widows can remarry and find new happiness, instead of being left alone to rely on their children.

However, in today’s society, where women’s positions are increasingly valued and equal to men’s, some have become so absorbed in their careers or personal interests that they have lost many traditional qualities of women. Not all women today know how to cook, or take care of their homes and families. This is their personal choice and not something to criticize. However, in my opinion, as women are still seen as the 'weaker sex' or 'the beautiful gender', they should know how to handle basic responsibilities as a wife, mother, and the female head of the household. There are many families where both spouses are too busy with their work and neglect their family, leading to divorce and the destruction of their marriage and happiness. This, unfortunately, is a sad reality.

If women did not exist, the world would not be as perfect as it is today. Therefore, the role of women in society is undeniable, and we can clearly see that over time, the status of women has been placed where it rightfully belongs.

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3. Reference Article 1

Although women's roles are being increasingly acknowledged and respected, the outdated mindset of male superiority, which originated in the feudal era, still exists today. This concept, which is deeply flawed and antiquated, must be eradicated in modern society. "Patriarchy" is a gender-based discrimination where men's roles are valued higher than women's. This mentality stemmed from Confucianism, which heavily influenced many Asian cultures, including Vietnam. Confucian teachings were very clear about the roles and responsibilities of men and women, where men were expected to be leaders, responsible for their families and society, while women were meant to maintain virtue and follow strict moral codes. The enduring impact of these beliefs has passed down through generations, embedding itself in the very fabric of societal thinking.

A symbolic representation of gender equality.

4. Reference Article No. 2

The concept of 'male superiority' is deeply ingrained and invites much contemplation. What does this notion really mean? It stems from a desire in many families and lineages to have male children to carry on the family name. In the past, this belief was far more oppressive and brutal. From birth, the discrimination against girls was stark. According to Xinran, a Chinese author, there was an ancient ritual involving two special basins for newborns: a warm basin for boys, called 'the base water,' and a scalding hot one known as 'the killing water.' If the child was a boy, they would be bathed in the 'base water' and accepted into the family. If a girl was born, she would be discarded into the 'killing water.' Sometimes the midwife would perform this horrific act, but there were instances where mothers themselves took this action. Today, though ultrasound technology allows families to choose the gender of their children, gender-based abortion remains tragically common, especially in rural areas of China, contributing to a gender imbalance. A heartbreaking discovery of 15 infant bodies found in a river in Shandong province highlights the tragic reality. In 2005, the male-to-female ratio in China was recorded as 119:100, with some areas now showing an alarming 130:100, a sign of the deepening issue of gender inequality.

A visual representation of gender issues.

5. Reference Article No. 3

We live in a civilized and equal society. The laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam clearly state in Article 26 of the Constitution of 2013: "Men and women are equal in all aspects. The state ensures equal rights and opportunities for both genders. The state, society, and families create conditions for women to develop comprehensively and fulfill their roles in society; gender discrimination is strictly prohibited." Both Vietnam and the world have been working together towards a fair society. Therefore, we should no longer hold onto outdated and backward views.

Gender bias, particularly the preference for males over females, has always existed in society. In the past, the issue was very severe, with women living under feudal systems suffering the most, leading to numerous tragedies in their lives. While this issue is no longer as extreme as before, traces of it can still be seen today, though its prevalence has decreased.

The problem of gender discrimination is most apparent in rural and remote areas where people lack social education and knowledge. They hold on to outdated views, believing that girls will eventually marry and leave their parents, while sons stay with their parents for life. These outdated beliefs have caused much suffering for women. In the past, it was thought that women could not achieve anything significant; however, history has proven otherwise, with female generals making great contributions to the country, and empresses stabilizing the royal harem to allow the king to focus on national development. These monumental contributions are often ignored. Today, women, just like men, dedicate themselves to their country. At home, they are devoted wives and loving mothers. In the workplace, they work diligently and skillfully, using their talents to the fullest. While men may have physical strength, women possess mental resilience. Women play a vital role in making life more beautiful and complete.

It is crucial to respect and appreciate women, for without them, humanity's future would be uncertain.

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