Gender Turmoil in Educational Attainment: Exploring and Reconciling Conflicting Evidence

Sara Curran, Princeton University
Sarah Martin, Princeton University
Sureeporn Punpuing, Mahidol University
Amara Soonthorndhada, Mahidol University
Sirinan Kittisuksathit, Mahidol University

Debates about the gender gap in education in developing countries have lead to redoubled efforts to understand education patterns. We examine longitudinal survey data from two different parts of Thailand and show shifting patterns of secondary and tertiary school attainment across cohorts of young men and women in a context of rapid social change. Attainment rates vary in unexpected ways across social contexts whether comparing villages or rural-urban differences. We explore whether the novelty of schools and resources for schooling beyond the primary level provides one explanation. We also examine qualitative evidence collected from youth, parents and community leaders in Kanchanaburi Province. We find inertia among youth and parents concerning the importance and feasibility of schooling for all youth, especially for girls. We propose that “cultural” inertia provides one explanation for the variability in outcomes and must be overcome to quickly realize equitable education opportunities for all youth in Thailand.