Families in Thailand: Beliefs and Realities

The main objective of this paper is to analyze families in Thailand in light of the country’s dominant religion, Buddhism. The analysis is based mainly on a review of the literature and research findings on family and religion documented previously. The focus is on changes in demographic structure and fertility behavior in relation to changes in household structure and size. Certain aspects of families are investigated, including the family system, the family life cycle, marriage and divorce, women in labor force, and the elderly. Buddhism, which has flourished in Thailand since the thirteenth century, has borne a strong influence in Thai society. Buddhism, as interpreted in terms of cultural expressions, has long been associated with the Thai way of life, attitudes, and codes of behavior of individuals at both societal and family levels. Moreover, in the past Buddhism played a very significant role in a person’s life from childhood to old age. However, during the past 2-3 decades Thailand has undergone rapid socioeconomic change toward more modernization and a greater degree of urbanization, and certain social values and behaviors which used to be closely related to religious interpretation are observed to undergo some changes as well in both the family and society in general. This may be an indication of a widening gap between beliefs and realities in modern Thailand.