Gender Differentials in Transition to Household Headship: Evidence from the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System, Thailand

Malee Sunpuwan, Mahidol University
Chai Podhisita, Mahidol University

Although traditional household is mostly headed by an eldest man, proportions of female headship in Thailand have increased during the past 20 years. This paper aims to examine the gender differential in transition to household headship and the influence of gender differentials in transition to household headship. The panel data from Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System (KDSS), Thailand is employed. The sample was person aged 15 and above who were not being household head at the time of enrolment into the KDSS. The life table method and discrete time logistic regression of event history analysis are employed. Females became household head more than males did. However, statistical model also revealed that odd of being head of household between male and female was not significant. Marital status and socioeconomic status are associated with the transition to household headship. It confirms that female can be a head of household when male is absent.