NDO – The Vietnam Youth Federation held a forum in Hanoi on November 7 to discuss challenges facing young families in the “new normal” state.

Participants at the event shared their views on the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on families’ values and culture and suggested ways to handle challenges facing families during the social distancing period. They also proposed many practical solutions for functional agencies for the introduction of policies targeting families in the “new normal” state.

According Khuat Van Quy, Deputy Director of the Department of Families under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the social distancing period has promoted many good traditional cultural values among families as it brings family members closer together to spend more time on studying and entertainment activities.

However, the pandemic has also brought many challenges for families, including those relating to employment and income.

A survey of over 500 households in July revealed that 88% of respondents confirmed that they had lost their jobs or had temporary work stoppages and have experienced a reduction in their income due to the pandemic.

As a result, the quality of their families’ life has decreased as more than 52% of the interviewees said they had to reduce the number of meals or servings of food per day.

Dr. Trinh Thu Nga, from the Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs said that in order to address problems facing families during the pandemic, it is necessary to continue provide support for workers, especially young workers who have not yet benefited from the Government’s short-term policies.

She also stressed the important role of youth unions in hosting job fairs, which have helped to introduce job vacancies to young people.