JOURNAL OF POPULATION AND SOCIAL STUDIES

Thailand (Nakhon) 87

JULY 1997/JANUARY 1998 – VOLUME 6, NUMBER 1-2

99.87.1 – English – Chai PODHISITA

Gender decision-making in family formation and planning: Achievement and future direction (p. 1-27)

Previous research carried out has shown the importance of discussion within the couple regarding family planning. Contraceptive use is linked to the degree of discussion on this issue between spouses. However, such discussion is not a common practice among a great many couples, and the sharing between spouses of decision-making concerning fertility issues is rare in developing countries. The wife and the husband are practically never on an equal footing in this regard. But when the spouses do talk, the decision is generally taken by the husband, who invariably plays the dominant role. The influence of the wife is only felt in certain conditions: if she has a high status, if there is good access to contraceptives and if fertility is low. The absence of discussion between spouses is explained here by the fact that both spouses ignore the number of children the other wants because of the sensitive nature of the topic and because of cultural and social values concerning the respective roles of men and women. The lesson to be learned from the research analysis in this article is that if one wishes to reduce fertility in developing countries spouses must be encouraged to discuss fertility decisions, contraceptive methods must be made available and accessible, and the status of women must be improved. (PAYS EN DEVELOPPEMENT, COUPLE, COMMUNICATION INTERPERSONNELLE, PRISE DE DECISION, FECONDITE, CONTRACEPTION)

99.87.2 – Thai – Aree CHAMPAKLAI

AIDS seen by Thai Moslems (p. 123-140)

Moslems are the largest ethnic group in Thailand. Within the context of a vast study on AIDS and Moslems in Thailand this article presents the attitudes of Thai Moslems concerning AIDS, persons who are HIV positive, and prevention campaigns. The sample includes persons aged 15 to 49. They unanimously consider AIDS as a punishment by God inflicted on people who are sexually promiscuous. They therefore believe, logically, that marital fidelity and chastity before marriage are protection against AIDS and that Moslem polygamy is a positive factor in prevention. Most of them consider that information about AIDS at school is needed, but a quarter of them feel that it should not be discussed in public. Many believe that AIDS can be dealt with by cracking down on prostitution. Contraception and the use of condoms is frowned upon although the AIDS situation has made the use of condoms more easily accepted. The author concludes that AIDS prevention measures should pay special attention to Moslem ideas. (THAILANDE, MUSULMAN, SIDA, ATTITUDE)

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