A survey has found that over 70% of Thai men have secret sexual relationships with women while almost half of them commit violence against their partners.
The survey was carried out by the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) among 1,617 men aged between 20-35 in Bangkok and selected provinces.
The results showed that almost 72% admitted to having several secret sexual partners. In addition, 57% were liable to throw objects when angry and 69% went out on drinking sessions, according to a gender equality staff member of the foundation.
It also emerged that 45% owned up to physically hurting their partners when they were drunk and around 42% said that they pressured them to have sex with them. A great number of the men believed that birth control is the sole responsibility of the woman.
A quarter of men believe that ‘real’ men flirt and drink and around 14% say they become violent because they get jealous. Some also think it would be stupid not to make sexual advances when they get an opportunity.
One-third of those polled accepted that married women were “owned” by their husbands and they must be responsible for household chores and looking after the family.
The results showed that men had misguided attitudes toward women that need to be addressed . Possibly the Education Ministry should include in the school curriculum domestic violence and gender equality issues.
The survey results were issued on Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year’s “what men can do to stop violence” theme is set to raise public awareness to address the problem.
This is not the first time Thai men have been shown in a bad light. A survey by Durex in 2012 found Thai men to be the most unfaithful lovers in the world with 54% admitting to having affairs, followed by South Korea at 34% and Malaysia 33%.
(Source Bangkok Post)