MALI: A
village study
A Research
Project Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of Colorado Christian University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor's degree
by
Leona Karni
May 1994
[This
thesis has been adapted for publication on this website.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Abstract
The practice of selling
twelve year old girls into prostitution exists in rural Thailand.
possible causes for this phenomena are isolation, illiteracy,
poverty and Buddhism. A village in the North of Thailand which
participates in the traffic of children was surveyed by a team of
Thai volunteers using a questionnaire concerned with village life,
income, and the price received for a child.
There were 77 of 150 households
surveyed. The results were calculated through the use of percentages
with 77 = 100%. The results indicate that isolation, illiteracy,
poverty and Buddhism are contributory factors of the child slave
market.
Recommendations were made for
cooperative efforts of the Thai government, non-government
organizations and mission organizations be made to combat this
problem.
___________________________________________________________
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Abstract
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: PROBLEM AREA
Purpose of the
study
Problem Statement
Hypotheses
Definition of
Terms
Summary
CHAPTER TWO:
PRECEDENCE IN RESEARCH
Precedence of Literature
Relevance to Current Study
CHAPTER THREE:
RESEARCH DESIGN
Hypotheses
General
Methodology
Specific
Procedures
Research
Population/Sample
Data
Collection
Treatment of
Data
CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS
Problem
Statement
General
Results
Hypotheses
Results
Summary
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions
Conclusions Based on Findings
Alternative Explanations of Findings
Limitations of the Study
Implications
Implications for Professional Practice or Decision Making
Implications for Future Research
Recommendations
Recommendations for Policy Development
Recommendations for Professional Practice
REFERENCES
APPENDIX A: COVER LETTER
APPENDIX B: QUESTIONNAIRE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER ONE--PROBLEM AREA
Purpose of
the Study
The
purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the daily lives
and backgrounds of villagers involved in the child slave market. There
are four areas of major concern when studying this problem. First, the
villager’s isolation from major towns and cities makes them vulnerable
to recruiters. Secondly, the educational background of the parents makes
them easy prey. Thirdly, the religious beliefs of parent and child aid
in facilitating the exploitation of female children. Fourthly, the
annual income of a parent compared to the price of a child.
This
study is an effort to establish a correlation between isolation,
education, religion and annual income to the selling of a child. An
effective strategy in prevention could then be developed based on this
research.
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
The
phenomenon of selling children into prostitution exists in the north of
Thailand. It is a growing market, due in part, to the influx of male
tourists from around the world booked on sex tours to Thailand. Among
these tourists are pedophiles: adults who engage in sex with children.
Shrewd
businessmen who are owners and operators of travel agencies, and service
related operations, such as bars, brothels, and massage parlors, seize
the opportunity to tap into this foreign currency revenue. They promise
to provide young beautiful Asian girls for a price.
Villagers trapped in poverty, and who are illiterate, and isolated are
easy prey. Recruiters visit the villages in the north at the end of the
school year. They contact families with girls who will graduate sixth
grade (government only requires children to attend school until sixth
grade) and offer them an advance on the salary their daughter can earn,
if she comes to Bangkok with them. The parents and the child often
believe there is a glamorous opportunity awaiting her in the city.
Thai
culture and religious beliefs help to support this exploitation through
basic beliefs in karma, status of women, and merit making. This makes it
extremely difficult to combat the traffic of children.
HYPOTHESES
The
phenomenon of selling children into prostitution exists in the rural
north of Thailand.
H1: A contributory
factor in the child slave market is isolation.
H2: A factor in
the exploitation of children is illiteracy.
H3: A contributory
factor in the child slave market is Buddhism.
H4: A factor in
the child slave market is poverty.
Definition
of Terms
In
order to clearly analyze the hypothesis, there are a series of terms
which must be defined.
Buddhism is a
non-Christian religion practiced in Thailand.
A child is
anyone under the age of thirteen.
Illiteracy is the
inability to read or write.
Isolation occurs
when contact with major towns or cities limited to twice a year or
less and there is no involvement in government.
Karma is the
merit or demerit a Buddhist believes one accumulates as a result of
one's actions.
Merit making is
the act of doing good deeds which will increase one's merit.
Slave market is
the practice of receiving a year’s advance on a child’s earning
potential. Thereby, placing the child in an indentured servant
relationship with the buyer and virtually his slave.
A
questionnaire has been developed to measure these hypotheses on
villagers involved in the slave market.
Summary
It is
the purpose of this study to develop a village level understanding of
the child slave market. There are various factors believed to influence
a parents decision to sell their child. of interest in this study are,
isolation, education, religion, and annual income. An effort to
establish a correlation between these factors, and the child slave
market, is the focus of this research. Based on these findings, an
effective strategy which will prevent children from being sold, may be
developed.
[Back
to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER TWO: PRECEDENCE IN
RESEARCH
Precedence of Literature
I.G.
Edmonds, a newspaper reporter in Thailand, used his own personal
experience, previously published research, periodicals and newspapers,
to support his area study of Thailand. Edmonds' research was published
under the title of Thailand the Golden Land. The purpose of the
book was to give an accurate presentation of Thai society. In the
chapters titled "Thailand Today" (135-150) and "Industry" (151-160),
Edmonds offers insights into the isolation of rural villagers.
They
are described as having "absolutely no role or voice in government"
(138) and the government, likewise, does not interfere in village life.
The Thai farmers’ contact with the government is through the village
headman.
The
U.S. Government Printing Office published research on Thailand, titled
Thailand: A Country Study. which was completed in 1987. The
chapter of interest here is Chapter 3: "The Economy".
The
purpose of this research was to examine the many levels of Thai society
to determine how the various systems are defined by the culture. The
method of approach was: interviews with individuals from within Thai
society, review of statistical information found in publications from
agencies of the United States Government, the Thai Government, private
organizations, previously published books on Thailand, and the files of
Thai newspapers.
According to the article on agriculture, in the chapter on economy,
between 1950 and 1980 agricultural holdings nearly doubled; employing
three-fourths of the labor force (144). Farmers generally raised rice
for subsistence and a secondary crop for the market. There are 50,000
villages in Thailand and only a few cities and towns (139); the great
majority of these villages do not have access roads.
Forty
percent of rural farmers lack a full title to their land. Historically,
all land was owned by the King. In 1954 a land code enabled farmers,
through a complicated process, to apply for a legal title (147).
An
understanding of the bureaucracy of government offices, and the ability
to read Thai are necessary to successfully complete the process required
for legal title. The law making public education mandatory was enacted
in 1921. However, according to, Thailand: A Country Study, in the
section under "Education", rural schools have less qualified teachers,
and the opportunities to continue secondary education existed only in
major towns. Although the north and Northeast areas of Thailand
represent 55% of the population, they only comprise 26% of the secondary
students (110).
Perhaps at this point it would be helpful to present a composite of
village life, and the part religion plays in the daily life of a
villager. A.B. Griswold and Prasert NaNagara co-authored an essay
titled, " Kingship and Society at Sukhodaya", which was published in
Change and Persistence in Thai Society: Essays in Honor of Lauriston
Sharp. In this essay, the authors give a historical account of the
relationship Thai people had with their king and their social
organizational behavior. The information was acquired from ancient
inscriptions, annals and old laws. The data is presented chronologically
from the twelfth century up to the sixteenth century.
The
most significant leader of the Sukhodayan period was Rama Gamhen. He was
known as a "father lord" and as the teacher who taught all the T'ai
(ancient Thai) to understand merit (1975, 44) Thus, the concept of merit
has been woven into the daily thought-life of the Thai as far back as
the Sukhodayan period.
In the
essay titled "Merit and Identity in Village Thailand", the focus is on
the relationship between merit-making and the forming of an identity for
the village Tahi. The hypothesis is that merit is a "central explicit
cultural concept" for Thai villagers.
Thai
villagers are culturally and socially homogeneous; therefore the
formation of individual identity is based on behavioral characteristics.
The data presented is on merit-making, an important element in Thai
village behavior. A definition of merit was arrived at through extensive
interviews with Thai villagers. The data indicates that villagers
understanding of who he is, is directly related to his understanding of
the status of his merit.
The
interviews also strongly support the premise that the Thai villager’s
identity as an individual is interrelated with the identity of the
village, and the merit status of the community.
Referring again to Thailand: A country Study, chapter two, "The
society and the environment" [in the section titled "The social system"
an assessment of village life] is presented.
The
village provides social identity, manages the affairs of communal
property, and has as the focal point of daily life the temple. The
temple is used for public worship, religious ceremonies, and as a
community meeting place. The temple and activities in the temple are an
integral part of every day life.
Richard L. Gorsuch and Esther F. Wakeman, of Fuller Theological
Seminary, tested Fishbein's model of "reasoned action" and, expanded
upon this model by testing a behavior that was well established. They
also made an effort to distinguish between affective and valuative
components of attitude. Their findings were published in an article
titled, A test and expansion of the Fishbein model on religious
attitudes and behavior in Thailand.
Questionnaires were developed to measure the reasoned action model and
additional elements of concern. The participants were 110 Thai college
students. The behavior being examined was merit making on the First Day
of Buddhist Lent.
Questionnaires were completed by participants one week prior to the
holiday and were followed up by a questionnaire one week following the
holiday to measure the number of students which participated in merit
making. The correlation was analyzed with the F test.
The
Fishbien model was supported, and the study revealed a significant
correlation to affect in mediating behavior. These findings were
contrary to the expectations of the researchers, which were to see
significant correlation to value and behavior.
Additional research published under the title of, Studying the
"referability" of child clinical problems, suggests that culture and
gender influence reasons why a child would be referred for clinical
counseling. The parent or teacher's perception of the problem may also
come into account. In this study of 182 male and female children in the
U.S., and 198 male and female children in Thailand, the author intended
to establish a method to study such differences.
Secondly, to develop a new statistic, the referability index (RI). The
RI would measure the frequency of referral of a child problem, adjusted
for prevalence in the general population. Problem types were used from
the Child Behavior Checklist. The results of the study indicate that in
the U.S. girls were referred more than boys for behavior problems. Also,
the referrals related more to under-controlled behavior problems. In
Thailand the opposite was found, the referrals related to
over-controlled problems. The findings offer new insights into gender
and culture and indicate the use of RI to be advantageous.
In
Mother sold food; Daughter sells her body: The Cultural Continuity of
Prostitution, the author explores the Buddhist beliefs that enable
the rationalization and acceptance of prostitution in Thailand. The idea
is presented that prostitution enables poor village girls to repay their
parents for the gift of life, and meet their obligation to participate
in the support of the family unit.
The
data was collected through longitudinal anthropological study of 400
urban families, related research, women's organizations in Thailand, and
master's theses on prostitution.
The
data was analyzed through—the presentation of the history of
prostitution in Thailand, prostitution in the context of modern
Buddhism, and the rationalization of prostitution throughout Thai
society.
The
results indicate that there is a relationship between Buddhists’
concepts, such as, merit-making, karma, and the fate of women and their
lower state in the evolutionary process which seems to support
prostitution in Thai society.
Prostitution provides the financial resources for village girls to
escape from poverty and increase their family’s standard of living. Her
mother did this through selling food, but the same dynamics support both
professions through the belief that a woman's status is low and worldly,
and her fate is to suffer.
Relevance to Current Study
Edmonds' study of rural Thailand (1972) revealed that the Thai
villagers’ involvement on the nation's politics was limited to their
contact with the village headman, placing them in the dark concerning
political issues and policies.
Limited access roads (Lepoer, 1987) leads to further isolation and a
skewed perception of the social issues, crime, and general environment
of the large cities. One apparent example of the effects of this type of
isolation can be seen in the fact that 40 percent of the farmers lack
full title to their land, (Lepoer, 1989) which in accordance to the land
code of 1954 only involves the completion of government forms. The
current study further examines the isolation of villagers. It is
believed that isolation prevents the parents of village children from
understanding the danger that exists for children in the large towns and
cities of Thailand. In addition, they are ignorant of the labor laws
which are intended to protect laborers and prevent the exploitation of
children.
The
rural schools of Thailand are staffed with less qualified teachers (Lepoer,
1989) and the secondary schools are located in major towns and cities.
Students from the rural North and Northeast make up only 26 percent of
the secondary school population (Lepoer), 1989). This deficit in
education not only limits the villagers' understanding of the labor
laws, as mentioned, but inhibits his ability to read the printed news.
The
current study considers the education level of the average villager to
be a limiting factor in his ability to be informed of the national news.
An illiterate villager is dependent upon radio and T.V. broadcasts as
his major source of information. All forms of news media in Thailand are
censored by the government, and the news of the exploitation of children
is not broadcast on radio and T. V. Therefore, the average villager is
unaware of the child slave market.
The
Thai Buddhists' concept of merit is a central and explicit cultural
concept (Skinner and Kirsch, 1975). In Kasper Ingersoll's essay on merit
and identity (1975), he states that the belief in merit 'molds and
modifies behavior'. Ingersoll further states that a Thai commonly
describes himself in terms of his merit.
According to Ingersoll a Thai Buddhist accepts responsibility for his
fortunes and misfortunes as a result of previous deeds. In Buddhist
belief one must accept one’s fate quietly. This is especially true of a
woman.
In
Muekes' article on the cultural continuity of prostitution, it is argued
that a woman is believed to be on a lower scale in the karmic cycle, and
that it is her fate to suffer. In this study the quiet acceptance of
that fate is believed to facilitate the continued exploitation of young
village girls.
A
young village girl sold or tricked into prostitution accepts this
circumstance as a result of her status as a female and as a result of
her deeds in a previous lifetime. Having accepted this as her
responsibility, her only hope is to make merit for future lifetimes.
Merit
can be made by sending money home to parents. A Buddhist believes that
one is indebted to one’s parents for having received life. Another means
of making merit is by sending money to the temple.
This
study will measure the prevalence of isolation, illiteracy, poverty and
Buddhism in a village that is involved in selling their children in to
the slave market.
[Back to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER THREE--RESEARCH DESIGN
HYPOTHESES
The
phenomenon of selling children into prostitution exists in the rural
north of Thailand.
H1 : A contributory
factor in the child slave market is isolation.
H2: A factor in the
exploitation of children is illiteracy.
H3: A contributory
factor in the child slave market is Buddhism.
H4: A factor in the
child slave market is poverty.
General
Methodology
The
current research project utilizes the co relational and opinion poll
methods. The data was gathered through the use of a combination of
closed-ended and open-ended surveys. The questionnaire consisted of 22
questions, nine of which were open-ended questions. Support for the
hypotheses is determined by the calculation of percentages that
correlate. The independent variables rely on the self report of the
respondents.
Specific
Procedures
A
self-developed survey was used to gather data (see Appendix B). The
survey was developed with the help of a Thai to ensure that the
questions were acceptable in Thai culture. The survey consists of 22
questions which are designed to gather information concerning village
life.
On the
survey, respondents were asked questions that related to their contact
with the world outside their village, their education, their religious
beliefs, and their annual income. The current research project was
designed to measure correlations between the child slave market,
isolation, education, religion, and poverty.
The
surveys were completed by the respondents through the assistance of one
of the two Thai volunteers. The volunteers read the questions to the
respondents and wrote the respondent’s answers on the survey. The
volunteers were accompanied by the wife of the village headman to the
homes of the 77 villagers in the village of Mali.
Research
Population/Sample
Seventy-seven heads of households in the village of Mali located in the
Dok Khamatai district were surveyed. The village is accessible only by a
dirt country road, which is in poor condition, seventeen kilometers from
the paved road. A regular mini-bus runs from the paved road twice daily,
with one leaving from the village for the main road at 6:30 a.m. only.
Mali is a typical farming village in the North of Thailand.
The
contact with this village was made through a non-profit organization
which is involved in a sponsorship program for elementary school
children. The introduction was with the village headman who housed the
volunteers and assisted in the selection of households to be surveyed.
Mali
has 150 households. The volunteers interviewed 77 heads of households.
The population was selected by convenience for two reasons. First, the
volunteers were only in the village for one week. Since this is a
farming village, heads of households left for their fields early in the
morning and did not return until evening. The volunteers were only able
to interview in the evenings. Second, each household is typical of the
other in a homogenous farming village. Therefore, a sampling method was
not used.
Data
Collection
The
planting season was the selected time to survey Mali. During this time
all farmers are in their villages. This would guarantee the opportunity
to interview each head of household, although time did not allow for
this. The village headman informed the villagers a week in advance of
the survey.
The
village headman's wife accompanied the two volunteers and introduced
them to the head of the household; the interview was conducted in the
home of the villager being surveyed. The interviews took approximately
one hour. The headman's wife first explained the survey; the volunteers
then read the questions; the villager answered; the volunteer wrote in
the answer; then reread the question and the answer. This was necessary
because most heads of households were unable to read the survey, nor
were they able to write their answers.
The
volunteers offered to share the results with any participant and with
the village headman upon their request. Explanations were given that the
results were to be used to gain an understanding of the factors involved
in children from rural Thailand being sent to the cities to work. It was
also explained that the results of the survey would be shared with
agencies interested in developing programs for children in the North.
The
participants were assured that the name of the village and their names
would be changed thereby making it unlikely that they could be
identified. They were also informed that the results may be published.
Treatment of Data
The
relationship between the slave market and isolation, illiteracy,
poverty, and Buddhism, will be examined through the use of percentages
in tabulating the responses to the survey.
Hypothesis one: A contributory factor in the child slave market is
isolation was measured by the response of the 77 heads of households
to the questions concerning how they acquired their home, how often they
left the village, and how many times they had met with the recruiter
prior to selling their daughter. How did you acquire your home was an
open-ended question and the responses ranged from: renting, bought, was
given by parents, and went in the forest chopped trees and built. There
were four possible answers to the number of times they left the village
ranging from never to more than twice a year. In addition to the
open-ended question concerning number of times they met the recruiter,
the participant was also asked if the recruiter was a friend or
relative.
Analysis was completed by calculating the percentages for each response,
based on 100% = 77.
Hypothesis two, a factor in the child slave market is illiteracy was
measured through the direct question of the participants ability to read
and write, and what is your level of education. The possible answers
were, yes or no and levels 4 or 6. Percentages were calculated based on
100% = 77.
Hypothesis three, a factor in the child slave market is poverty was
measured through the annual income of the participant and the amount of
income received for the selling of a child. The annual income was
compared with the income received for a child.
Hypothesis four, a contributory factor in the child slave market is
Buddhism is a qualitative survey which involves basic concepts in
Buddhism that supports the low position of females and the
responsibility of a female child to participate in the support of the
family.
[Back to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER FOUR--FINDINGS
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
The
phenomenon of selling children into prostitution exists in the north of
Thailand. It is a growing market, due in part, to the influx of male
tourists from around the world, booked on sex tours to Thailand. Among
these tourists are pedophiles: adults who engage in sex with children.
Shrewd
businessmen—who are owners and operators of travel agencies, and service
related operations such as, bars, brothels, and massage parlors—seize
the opportunity to tap into this foreign currency revenue. They promise
to provide young beautiful Asian girls for a price.
Villagers trapped in poverty, and that are illiterate, and isolated, are
easy prey. Recruiters visit the villages in the north at the end of the
school year. They contact families with girls who will graduate sixth
grade (government only requires children to attend school until sixth
grade) and offer them an advance on the salary their daughter can earn,
if she comes to Bangkok with him. The parents and the child often
believe there is a glamorous opportunity awaiting her in the city.
Thai
culture and religious beliefs help to support this exploitation through
basic beliefs in karma, the status of women, and merit-making. This
makes it extremely difficult to combat the traffic of children.
General
Results
It was
estimated that each of the 150 heads of households in the village of
Mali would be interviewed. The planting season was chosen for the survey
because every head of household would be in the village. The interviews
could only be conducted in the evenings when the farmers returned from
their fields. Each interview took approximately one hour. As a result,
the survey team was only able to interview 77 heads of households. Of
the 77 surveyed all 77 were used to calculate the results.
The
village chief informed the villagers of the survey a week prior to the
arrival of the team, the volunteers conducting the survey made
appointments with the heads of households one night in advance.
The
wife of the village chief introduced the volunteers, the volunteers then
explained the survey and allowed the participant time to ask questions.
The volunteer then read the question to the participant, wrote in the
participant’s answer and then reread the question and the answer to the
participant.
In
addition to the questions directly related to this study, there were
included in the survey questions concerning the villager’s exposure to
Christianity and questions related to the continued contact of the child
that was sold with the parents. These questions were of interest to
mission organizations in Thailand.
There
was no duplication in the interviewing process. Participants were
obliged to answer all the questions honestly since the wife of the
village chief was present and was fully aware of the correct
information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HYPOTHESES
The
phenomenon of selling children into prostitution exists in the rural
north of Thailand.
H1 : A contributory
factor in the child slave market is isolation.
H2: A factor in the
exploitation of children is illiteracy.
H3: A contributory
factor in the child slave market is Buddhism.
H4: A factor in the
child slave market is poverty.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Results
H1:
A contributory factor in the child slave market is isolation.
Questions Five and Six on the survey asked if the participant
owned their home and how it was acquired. Ninety-seven percent owned
their homes. Of these 43% chopped trees in the forest and built; 29%
were given their homes by their parents; and 25% purchased their homes.
Question
One asked how often the participant left the village. Only 19% of
those surveyed leave their village more than twice a year; 19% leave
twice a year; 26% leave once a year; and 36% never leave their village.
Questions Eleven and Twelve asked the number of times the
participant had met with the recruiter, and if the recruiter was a
friend or relative. Thirteen percent answered that the recruiter was a
friend or relative; 54% percent had met with them several times; 6% had
met once; and 27% had not met the recruiter at all (see Table 1).
Table 1
Previous contact
with recruiter |
Percentage |
Not at all |
27 |
Met once |
6% |
Several meetings |
54% |
Friend or
relative |
13% |
Questions Three and Four asked if the participant was a
farmer, and if he farmed for himself. All were farmers except for three.
Of these three, one rents his land to be farmed; one cares for his
grandchildren; and one is a carpenter. Of the seventy-four who farmed,
all but six farmed for themselves.
These
percentages support the hypothesis that isolation is a factor in the
child slave market.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
H2:
A factor in the exploitation of children through the slave market is
illiteracy. Questions Seven and Eight asked if the
participant was able to read and write, and what level of education they
had completed. Fifty-eight percent stated they could not read or write,
and 42% completed up to six years of education. These answers support
the hypothesis that illiteracy is a factor in the child slave market.
H3:
A factor in the child slave market is poverty. Question Nine
asked the annual income of the participant. The annual income range was
from 0 to 10,000 baht: 64% earned an annual income under 2,000 baht.
Questions Thirteen and Fourteen asked the amount of money the
participant had received from the sale of a child. The income ranged
from 4,000 to 60,000 baht. The answers support the hypothesis (see Table
2).
Table 2
Annual
family income
64% annual income under 2000
Baht. 27.44 Baht to $1 U.S. (exchange rate in September 1985)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Table 3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
H4:
A contributory factor in the child slave market is Buddhism. This
is qualitative and is supported by basic percepts of Buddhism such as
the low position of females on the karmic cycle—the accepted belief that
the life of a female is one of suffering and the concept that one’s past
lives and deeds are carried over into the present.
Summary
Villagers in Mali, a village which is involved in the traffic of
children, are isolated, illiterate, and report annual incomes that are
below the poverty level. The religious system, Buddhism, supports the
idea that females are on a lower karmic cycle and must suffer; and also
the idea that one reaps in this lifetime the results of deeds in past
lifetimes. All these factors contribute to the exploitation of children
through the child slave market.
[Back to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER FIVE-CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions
Conclusions Based on Findings
It is
concluded that isolation, illiteracy, poverty and Buddhism are all
contributory factors in the child slave market. The limited contact the
villagers of Mali have with the world outside makes them vulnerable to
anyone who appears to be successful and world-wise.
An
example of the effect of such limited contact is seen in the acquisition
of a home. This would normally involve one with government offices and
possibly a bank. In Mali this acquisition remains at the village level.
Furthermore, Mali residents farm on a local level. There may be a middle
man involved if the farmer has a crop surplus, but this also is sold at
a local market. These types of business dealings are not complex and
generally are verbal agreements. On the rare occasions when a villager
leaves Mali, he enters the outside world as a timid spectator.
This
background does not prepare a parent to deal with a recruiter from the
city that promises a successful future for their daughter and offers an
advance on her salary that is possibly the equivalent of 20 years of
annual income.
The
average villager has little awareness of what is going on in the city of
Bangkok. The news is filtered through his understanding of village life,
and his major source of the news would be radio broadcasts. The
villager’s naivety and ignorance set them up as easy prey for slick city
recruiters.
The
child who has been sold accepts this exploitation as the karma (demerit)
from a past lifetime. There is nothing that can be done in this present
lifetime except make merit for a future life. Merit is made by giving to
the temple and supporting ones parents from whom one has received life.
In this way the religious system supports the exploitation of young
girls who are sold into prostitution.
Alternative Explanations of Findings
In
Thailand's development and economic growth, there were high returns on
urban investments, and expansion was unevenly distributed. A growth
stagnation pattern developed with Bangkok and the central Plains
developing, and the countryside stagnating. There was little social
development channeled to the countryside. In this structured economic
system, the depressed rural sector had a ready supply of uneducated,
unskilled girls who were graduating from sixth grade (12 years old) and
entering the labor force.
Female
members of the family are accustomed to participating as wage earners
for the family. The ancient profession of prostitution offers an
opportunity for families in the North to improve their position in
society. The village girls and their families consider this a rational
decision based on the needs of the family and the limited earning
potential available in any other sector.
Limitations of the Study
The
survey upon which this study is based was conducted in only one village
in the Dok Khamtai district. In the village surveyed there are 150
households the survey team only interviewed 77 of these. There is no
control group with which to compare these findings and no documentation
on the generally accepted poverty level in the North.
The
interviews focused on the heads of the households, there are no
interviews with the girls involved in the slave market and no interviews
with the recruiters.
Implications
Implications for Professional Practice or Decision Making
Based
on this research an effective strategy in the prevention of selling
girls into prostitution can be developed and implemented in villages
where this phenomena exists. Non-Government and Mission organizations
may use this data to gain an understanding of the village life and
circumstances from which these girls come. For mission organizations, in
particular, this survey provides a clear picture of the need to address
the value system which accepts prostitution as an acceptable
profession. If this trend is to be reversed, it can be only accomplished
through the changing of the villagers value system.
Christian Mission Organizations whose goal it is to evangelize may be
confident that a village in the North is a prime target area.
In a
recent interview conducted in Bangkok on December 10, 1994 with LayBee
Yeoh, the Director of Barn Sukniran, a Christian rehabilitation
project for girls rescued from prostitution, it was reported that the
information from this survey was helpful when presenting the work of
Barn Sukniran to churches. The survey data made it possible for
LayBee Yeoh to share facts when presenting the phenomena.
Implications for Further Research
Future research should
include interviews with girls involved in the slave market, recruiters,
and agencies in Bangkok which traffic in children. This would present a
clearer picture of all those involved.
LayBee Yeoh suggested that
future research include the churches in Thailand and their perceived
role in the prevention of selling children.
Also, a study concerning the
government policies on child labor and prostitution and government plans
to implement policies related to these issues would be beneficial.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Policy Development
The
Thai government requires a child to complete six years of formal
education. At twelve years old children, whose families are unable to
pay school fees, books, transportation and other related expenses, enter
the work force. A twelve year old child is vulnerable and naive. It is
therefore recommended that the Thai government raise the level of
mandatory education.
In
addition, it is recommended that the Thai government eliminate the
school fees and provide the required text books, thereby reducing the
burden of educating a child.
Furthermore it is recommended that mission organizations develop a
policy which would target villages involved in the slave market for
evangelism and church planting.
Recommendations for Professional Practice
There
are a significant number of non-government organizations and mission
organizations in Thailand concerned with the welfare of children. These
organizations should coordinate their efforts with each other and the
Thai government.
For
example, Christian organizations which pay school expenses for children
through a sponsorship program have thus far focused on primary school
children. It is mandatory for children of this age to attend school.
Perhaps they could focus on children that would be entering secondary
level, and coordinate this effort with a mission organization.
Non-government organizations involved in development have undertaken
projects such as fish farming. This could be coordinated with secondary
schools and provide a learning experience as well as an income base for
children whose families are destitute.
[Back to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REFERENCES
Edmonds, I.G. (1972)
Thailand the golden land. New York. The Bobbs-Merill Company, Inc.
Fredericks, L.J.& Wells,
R.J.G. (1978). Some aspects of finances reform measures in Southeast
Asia. Asian
Survey. 18 No.6. pp. 644-658.
Griswold/A.B. & NaNagara,
P. (1975). Kin kingship and society at Sukhodaya. In Skinner,G.W.
& Kirsch A.T.
(Ed.), Change and persistence in Thai
society:Essays in honor of Lauriston Sharp. (pp.25-83). Ithaca,
New York. Cornell University Press.
Griswold,A.B. & NaNagara,
P. (1975). Clientship and class in the early Bangkok period. In
Skinner,G.W. &
Kirsch, A.T. (Ed.), Change and persistence in
Thai society: Essays in honor of Lauriston Sharp.
(pp. 85-210). Ithaca, New York. Cornell
University Press.
Gorsuch,R.L,& Wakeman,E.A.
(1991). The international journal for the psychology of religion.
Pasadena,
California. Fuller Theological Seminary. A test
and expansion of the Fieshbein model on religious attitudes
and behavior in Thailand. 33-40.
Ingersol,J. (1975).
Merit and identity in village Thailand. In Skinner,G.W. & Kirsch,A.T.
(Ed.), Change and
persistence in Thai society:
Essays in honor of Lauriston Sharp. (pp.218-227). Ithaca, New york.
Cornell university Press.
Ingersol,J. (1975).
Self and village in terms of merit. In Skinner,G.W. & Kirsch,A.T.
(Ed.), Change and
persistence in Thai society:
Essays in honor of Lauriston Sharp. (pp.227- 240). Ithaca, New York.
Cornell University Press.
Kulick, E.& Wilson,D.
(1992). Thailand's turn: Profile of a new dragon. New York.
Scholarly and Reference
Division, St. Martin's Press Inc.
Kulick, E.& Wilson,D.
(1992). Farm and factory.A giant in the making. Thailand's
turn: Profile of a new dragon.
(pp.131-133). New York. Scholarly and Reference
Division, St. Martin's Press Inc.
Kulick, E. & Wilson, D.
(1992). Thai Buddhism: The response to modernity. Thailand's
turn: Profile of a new
dragon. (pp.97-106). New York.
Scholarly and Reference Division, St. Martin's Press Inc.
Kulick, E. & Wilson,D.
(1992). The price of economic success. Thailand's turn:
Profile of a new dragon.
(pp.121-139). New York. Scholarly and reference
Division, St. Martin's Press Inc.
LePoer, L. (1989).
Thailand:A country study. Washington D.C. U.S. Government Printing
Office.
LePoer, L. (1989).
Agriculture. Thailand: A country study. (pp.144-149). Washington
D.C. U.S. Government
Printing Office.
LePoer, L. (1989).
Education. Thailand: A country study. (pp.109-114). Washington D.C.
U. S. Government
Printing Office.
Lepoer, L. (1989). Land
tenure. Thailand: A country study. (pp.147-149). Washington D.C.
U.S. Government
Printing office.
LePoer, L. (1989). The
social system. Thailand: A country study. (pp.60-105). Washington D.
C. U. S.
Government printing Office.
Muecke, M.A. (1992).
Mother sold food. daughter sells her body: The cultural continuity of
prostitution.
Great Britian. Pergamon Press LTD.
Social-science-and medicine. October Vol 35(7) 891-901.
Sharp,L. (1975).
Cultural continuities and discontinuities in Southeast Asia. (1947).
In Skinner, G.W. & Kirsch,
A.T. (Ed.) Change and persistence in
Thai society: Essays in honor of Lauriston Sharp. (pp.15-22).
Ithaca, New York. Cornell University press.
Skinner,G. W. &
Kirsch,A.T. (1975). Ithaca, New York. Cornell University Press.
Change and persistence· in
Thai society: Essays in
honor of Lauriston Sharp.
Weisz,J.R. & Weiss,B.
(1991). Studying the "referability" of child clinical problems.
American Psychological
Association Inc. Journal of Consulting and
Clinical Psychology. Vol. 59 No. 2,266-273 266-273.
[Back
to Top]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPENDIX A--COVER LETTER
Women With A Vision
P.O. Box 58
Burirum, Thailand
Dear Participant,
Women With A Vision (WWAV) is a non-profit organization whose
interest lie with exploited women and children. In an effort to
understand the background of girls working in prostitution, WWAV is
conducting a survey. You are asked to participate in this study.
All
data gathered through this survey, will be held in strict confidence.
Your name will not be used. The name of your village will be changed to
protect you from possible identification. The results of this project
may be formally published. Other agencies will have access to read it or
use it as reference text for other research.
If you
would like results of this survey, please send a self addressed envelope
to the above address. Results will be mailed to you as soon as the
project is completed. The anticipated date of completion is March 15,
1994.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Leona Karni
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
APPENDIX B--QUESTIONNAIRE
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. How often do you leave
the village?
a. Once a year ( )
b. Twice a year ( )
c. More than twice a
year ( )
d. Never leave ( )
2. What religion are you?
3. Are you a farmer?
4. Do you farm for
yourself?
5. Do you own your home?
6. How did you acquire
your home?
7. Are you able to read
and write?
8. To what grade-level
did you study?
9. What is your annual
income?
10. Do you have a
daughter who is working as a prostitute?
11. How many times did
you meet with the recruiter before allowing your daughter to leave the
village
with him?
12. What the recruiter a
friend or relative?
13. What advance on your
daughter’s salary did you receive?
14. What amount has your
daughter sent home?
15. Does your daughter
write?
Write and send money?
Write, send money,
and visit?
16. Does your daughter
give money to the temple?
17. What is your opinion
of prostitution?
18. Have you ever heard
of Jesus Christ?
19. Who do you understand
Him to be?
20. Have you ever had
contact with a missionary?
21. What do you consider
the village’s greatest need to be?
22. What do you consider
your greatest need to be?
[Back
to Top]
|