“Sex (Gender) and the City”: Differences in the Rural-to-Urban Migration Experiences of Young Thai Men and Women

Elizabeth Nauman, Tulane University
Mark VanLandingham, Tulane University
Suchada Thaweesit, Mahidol University

Females dominate rural-to-urban migration streams throughout Southeast Asia due to expanded employment opportunities in urban areas. While economic motivations are among the most salient factors associated with rural-to-urban migration for both men and women, these and other aspects of the migration process differ by gender. Like other demographic processes, examining migration with a gender lens reveals a more nuanced picture of its causes and consequences. In previous work, we observed an increase in mental health status for female rural-to-urban migrants relative to their counterparts who stayed in the rural origin villages. We employ mixed methods to identify features of the migration experience that are associated with changes in mental health status. By examining gender differences, we aim to provide a better understanding of the improved mental health status observed for female rural-to-urban migrants.