Abstract:
The purpose of this research is to examine an ideology of love and gender in dating relationships, which effect the sexual health of eight young female factory workers, using qualitative research methods. The subjects in the study are female workers between the ages of 18 to 24 years old, working in a jewelry cutting section in the production department of a factory in Samutsakorn province. Detailed interviewing, context observation and analysis, and descriptive presentation were used in the researching process. The results indicated that young female factory workers defined their love ideology through happiness, an appeal and an emotional bond. It also related closely to economic issues. The women were willing to engage in a relationship with wealthy men even though the men were already married. However, their sexual behavior depended on their needs for mental, financial and social support, too. The investigation showed that young female workers in factories often engaged in sexual intercourse with their lovers and changed their partners quite often. Since they had had sexual experiences and did not consider themselves as virgin women, they did not perceive sexual activity as a disgrace. Accordingly, sexual activity stood as evidence of their love and relationship maintenance. Nonetheless, safe sex practices in order to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were not their concern. Condoms were generally defined as distrust between lovers, so condoms were only used during the lovers first sexual intercourse. Social norms also influenced the role of women in the dating relationship. In order to maintain the relationship, the woman mostly followed and obeyed the mans lead. They did not regard violence against women in relationships as an issue. On the other hand, they saw it as normal in dating relationships , and stayed in the relationships even though they were abused by their partners. As a result, abuse issues, rape in a relationship, and reproductive health become significant problems which affect female factory workers quality of life. Moreover, asking for services from sexual health clinics was not a comfortable alternative for them, since the women were afraid of disrepute. Also , the service stations were not very private and staff were not properly educated about sexual health issues. Consuming medicine without medical advice and acquiring treatment from the factories infirmaries were their only choices. Another concerning issue was that the women were likely to conceal the fact about their injury, which might lead to chronic illnesses and a continuity of relationship violence. This research paper suggests that gender equality awareness should be raised in both males and females. In addition, knowledge of sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases , and reproductive health should be encouraged and this education should be provided properly, not only to factory workers, but also to the staff providing sexual health services. It may also be profitable to reorganize and create a more private atmosphere in sexual health departments and train staff on the technique of asking only about essential symptoms, then let doctors gather deeper information to ensure the patients of their confidentiality