Modern Thai Women 'Less Tolerant' Of Marriage

Women 'less tolerant' of marriage

The behaviour and attitudes of modern Thai women, especially those living in cities, are clearly different from those of their mothers and grandmothers, according to the head of business planning at marketing communications investment agency Mindshare, Pathamawan Sathaporn.

Commenting in her capacity as a researcher, she said this was partly because more women worked outside and had become confident about expressing opinions towards politics, social and economic matters.

However, she said the tolerance of city women for married life had lessened because they were surrounded by modern technologies that were fast and convenient; they were used to quick decision-making. They also feel that they are capable, so they don't need a man like before, so they opt more readily for divorce.

The divorce rate in Thailand has increased every year, she said. In 2007 about 300,000 couples registered their marriages, while 100,000 couples divorced. This is leading to more and more single-parent families and possible problems involving the children because they spend less time with their parents.

A study had also found that more than half of the juveniles committing crimes came from single-parent families.

Pathamawan's comments agree with the findings of a Nation Group study entitled "Modern Women: the power that changes Thailand". Associated with a National-Agenda seminar on the subject, it found that modern women considered themselves equal to men in the working world, especially in terms of payment, career advancement, co-workers' acceptance and career choices.

They also felt that they could stand on their own and didn't mind being single. The study found that 30 per cent of its female respondents were single. About 69 per cent of the single women said they didn't think about getting married because they loved freedom. Another 30 per cent said they wanted to work and realise their dreams, and 20 per cent said they didn't think anyone would understand them.

The study also found that 32 per cent of the respondents who said they thought about getting married said they didn't want children, while some also said the present environment wasn't appropriate for children.


-- The Nation 2010-10-12