Rural-to-Urban Migration and Sexual Debut in Thailand

Abstract

Migration from one’s parents’ home and sexual debut are common features of the transition to adulthood. Although many studies have described both of these features independently, few have examined the relationship between migration and sexual debut in a systematic manner. In this study, we explore this link for young adults in Thailand. With relatively high rates of internal migration, rapid modernization, a moderate HIV epidemic, and a declining average age of sexual debut, Thailand presents an instructive environment in which to examine migration and sexual debut. We use two waves of a longitudinal data set (2005 and 2007) that includes a subsample of young adults who migrated to urban areas during that period. We identify characteristics and behaviors associated with sexual debut and examine the role of migration on debut. Our approach reduces several common sources of bias that hamper existing work on both migration and sexual debut: (1) the longitudinal nature of the data enables us to examine the effects of characteristics that predate both behaviors of interest; (2) the survey on sexual behavior employed a technique that reduces response bias; and (3) we examine differences in debut by marital status. We find that migrants have a higher likelihood of sexual debut than nonmigrants.

Rural-to-Urban Migration and Changes in Health Among Young Adults in Thailand

“… 3 Anglewicz et al (2014) found a relationship between rural-to-urban migration and timing of sexual debut, using the same data from Thailand. …”

Sex and sexual orientation disparities in adverse childhood experiences and early age at sexual debut in the United States: Results from a nationally representative sample

“…Findings may have resulted due to defined social expectations based on specific gender and racial groups as defined in different cultures and communities (Cavazos-Rehg et al, 2009; Kinsman, Romer, Furstenberg, & Schwarz, 1998). Age (Jordahl & Lohman, 2009), income (Dinkelman, Lam, & Leibbrandt, 2007; Valle, Roysamb, Sundby, & Klepp, 2009), education (De Graaf, Vanwesenbeeck, & Meijer, 2014; Dinkelman et al, 2007), and marital status (Anglewicz, VanLandingham, & Phuengsamran, 2014) have also been shown to be associated with sexual debut.…”

Lifestyles, sexuality and gender: vulnerability to STIs and unplanned pregnancy among female migrant beer promoters in Lao PDR

“…. In the city, these young people are exposed to different social norms to those in rural areas, with these new norms shaping their experience of the city as they become more independent in an urban environment (Anglewicz, VanLandingham, and Phuengsamran 2014;Ma and Cheng 2005).…”

“…At the same time, migration, economic participation, increased independence and exposure to new ideas can help young women challenge entrenched oppressive gender norms (Yeoh 2016). Challenging gender relations may extend to exploring different ways of creating intimate relationships and sexual encounters, potentially developing more control over their bodies, but also potentially exposing them to new sexual vulnerabilities, the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy (Swasti Centre 2018; Anglewicz, VanLandingham, and Phuengsamran 2014;Ma and Cheng 2005;Lyttleton 2014; Sychareun et al 2016;Sychareun et al 2018). Studies have found, for example, an association between rural-to-urban migration and early sexual debut (Mberu and White 2011;Luke et al 2012), increased sexual activity, increased numbers of sexual partners and unprotected sex (Anglewicz, VanLandingham, and Phuengsamran 2014;Gaetano and Jacka 2004;Welz et al 2007) and increased gender-based violence (Gaetano and Jacka 2004;Anglewicz 2012;Philip, Mark and Dusita 2014;Yeoh 2016).…”