Gender differences in reasons for and impacts of engaging in illegal business : a case study of the underground lottery business in Phuket, Thailand | |
| Author | Chollada Wongpanich |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-24-03 |
| Subject(s) | Lotteries--Thailand--Phuket Gambling--Sex differences--Thailand Women gamblers--Psychology--Thailand |
| Note | A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Although some research explored the impact of women’s earnings on family power dynamics within normal/legal businesses, there existed a significant gap in understanding how this dynamic translated to illegal enterprises and its impacts on intra-household relations. To fill this gap, this study aimed to addressed two objectives: (1) to identify the factors influencing women’s decision to engage in the underground lottery business compared to men. Amartya Sen’s Cooperative Conflict model was applied (2) to analyze the realized impacts on intra-household bargaining power resulting from women’s engagement in the underground lottery business compared to men’s engagement in Phuket, Thailand. The study involved both men and women involved in the underground lottery business including their spouses, 42 participants in total. Selected through convenience and snowball sampling methods. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews and non-participatory observation, with analysis conducted using directed content analysis. Findings revealed that women often entered the underground lottery business due to pressure circumstances and societal expectations; limited formal job opportunites and gender roles. While some men cited economic struggles as a driving force in entering the underground lottery business and some were motivated by personal enjoyment, thrill, and curiosity. The application of Amartya Sen’s Cooperative Conflict model highlighted distinct perceptions of interest, contribution, and breakdown point between men and women who engaged in the underground lottery business, influencing their bargaining power within the household. For men, their perceived interest in personal gain, coupled with the perceived contribution of their earnings to family well-being, strengthened their bargaining power. This, combined with a strong breakdown point due to their dominant status within traditional gender roles, ensured in their bargaining power by defualt, despite their involvement in the underground lottery business. Conversely, most women’s perceived interest lay in supporting their families, reflected in their financial contributions from underground lottery sales. However, their perceived contribution was often undervalued by their spouses, leading to a weaker breakdown point in intra-household. Consequently, their engagement in the underground lottery business typically did not improve their bargaining power, as their contribution might be disregarded in important family matters, such as children’s education. This change was limited by their husbands’ perceptions of work as petty and their societal roles as primary caregivers. Thus, despite their economic contributions, many women found their bargaining power remains unchanged due to entrenched gender norms and perceptions surrounding their profession. In addition, there were also some signs of increased bargaining power through financial independence in few women who became financially independent. |
| Year | 2024 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tsusaka, Takuji W.;Doneys, Philippe |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2024 |