| Although regional differences will determine its size, a | | | | adults begins. Once a child turns four, deliberate |
| typical Thai family will almost always extend beyond | | | | mischief is punished, although corporal punishment is |
| the nucleus of parents and their offspring to include | | | | exceedingly rare. A visual sign of displeasure, or a few |
| grandparents, cousins, an uncle or aunt or even the | | | | scolding words, however subtle, will deter further |
| children of more remote upcountry relatives, all living | | | | misconduct. |
| amicably together in the same house or compound. | | | | Respect for elders is taught from a very early age, |
| The village serves as the most straightforward model | | | | and before they are long out of infancy children begin |
| not only because the great majority of Thai families | | | | to accept their place in the family hierarchy and to act |
| live in rural areas, but also because it represents the | | | | accordingly. The distinction between pu-yai (elders) and |
| most basic social and economic unit. Urban households | | | | pu-noi(juniors or subordinates) describes the relationship |
| retain similar values, though in many cases these have | | | | between parents and children as well as between |
| been modified by the pressures of modem life and by | | | | siblings of different ages, This respect for one's elders, |
| the tidal wave of non-Thai influences that has washed | | | | universal in Thailand, is formulated in a complex system |
| over the country's urban centres during the past | | | | of words and titles used to distinguish between older |
| decades. | | | | and younger brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles |
| A rural family often lives in a simple wooden house | | | | whose age is greater or less in comparison with one's |
| whose single room will serve as bedroom, living room, | | | | parents. Each of these words has overtones of rank |
| kitchen or dining room, as the situation demands. This | | | | and indicates the amount of deference to which one is |
| communal lifestyle, in which everyone lives together in | | | | entitled. This same delineation of roles will enable the |
| an open space with little or no privacy obviously | | | | child to determine his relationship to outsiders when he |
| requires tact, compromise, courtesy and tolerance if | | | | grows older. It should be remarked that a child's |
| social harmony is to be preserved. | | | | deference toward his elders is maintained throughout |
| Essentially, the family represents security and stability in | | | | his life. |
| an uncertain world and as such commands the | | | | As he approaches adulthood, a young person's |
| individual's loyalty and respect. Its welfare is always the | | | | perspective expands to the larger world outside the |
| primary concern, and it is incumbent upon each family | | | | home. He learns to defer to the superior age and |
| member to consider his actions in light of their | | | | position of the boss or village headman when seeking |
| consequences to the family's well-being. Within each | | | | guidance in daily affairs. Viewed in a national con-text, |
| household, the father guides and guards. The mother | | | | this attitude guarantees a strong degree of cultural |
| plays a supportive role, handling finances and | | | | conservatism. Traditionally sanctioned ideas are lovingly |
| influencing family decisions. | | | | cherished and communicated by revered elders to |
| From birth, village children are treated permissively. | | | | receptive youth. This system is in total contrast with |
| Lovingly tended, comforted, nursed and spoiled, they | | | | the meritocracy favoured in many contemporary |
| remain the centre of the household's attention | | | | Western cultures where esteem is given to the young |
| throughout their first two carefree years. After that, | | | | for their capacity to constantly overturn tradition with a |
| the socializing process to make them responsible | | | | flow of new ideas. |