Family Gender Stereotypes in Shaping Educational and Career Orientation of Ethnic Minority Girls in Vietnam

In recent years, gender equality and women’s empowerment have become global priorities, as evidenced by policies such as the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, gender equality is not simply about ensuring access to education, but also involves deep-rooted cultural and social factors. In Vietnam, ethnic minority girls still face many barriers in education and career due to the influence of gender stereotypes in the family, which are reinforced through traditional expectations and diverse cultural structures of 54 ethnic groups. This study aims to clarify the role of gender stereotypes in the family in gender roles perception, thereby affecting the educational and career orientation of ethnic minority girls in Vietnam. The quantitative research method was implemented through primary data collection from 317 ethnic minority girls and young women in Northern Vietnam. The research results show that family gender stereotypes have a direct impact on gender roles perception, in addition to the mediating role of gender roles perception in the relationship between family gender stereotypes and educational and career orientation of ethnic minority girls in Vietnam. The study highlights that expanding education for ethnic minority girls is not enough without addressing gender biases in the family. Programs need to incorporate in-depth gender education, culturally appropriate mentoring, and engagement with male family members. More importantly, they need to be empowered to become agents of change in their communities.