#Family

New research published in the Journal of Marriage and Family challenges the age-old adage that money can’t buy love, suggesting instead that financial stability may be a key factor in opening people up to romantic relationships. The twin studies, led by professors from the University of Toronto and Carleton University, analyzed data collected from over 4,800 single adults in the United States and Germany. Their findings show that single individuals with higher incomes are not only more likely to desire a relationship, but also feel more prepared for one and, ultimately, are more likely to enter into a partnership (phys.org; University of Toronto news).

Bed-sharing remains a common practice in Thailand and much of Asia, shaped by culture, family cohesion, and practical living spaces. In many Asian households, the question is when children should move toward independent sleeping, not whether they should share a bed with parents. This reflects a broader contrast with Western sleep norms while highlighting local benefits of closeness and supervision.

In Thai families, bed-sharing is normalized and tied to strong family bonds. A multicultural survey from 2010 highlighted that many Asian households maintain shared sleep spaces with infants and toddlers, whereas Western data often show lower rates. While Western safety guidelines flag risks for infants under six months, Thai parents weigh the emotional benefits of proximity against hazards within their homes. Some Western figures may underreport bed-sharing due to stigma, a nuance less commonly discussed in Asia.

Bed-sharing between parents and young children, a practice often frowned upon in the West, continues to be the standard in many Asian societies, with cultural values, family structures, and practical constraints shaping distinct sleep customs across the region. Recent international reporting and research suggest that, while Western parents debate the pros and cons of children sleeping in their parents’ beds, Asian families view the question not as “whether” but “when” children should move out of the family bed, reflecting sharply contrasting expectations about parenting and child development.

In a landmark study challenging widespread beliefs about heredity and mental health, researchers have found that the majority of cases of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression arise in individuals with no close family history of these conditions. The research, covering data from over 3 million people, calls for a shift in how mental health is understood and addressed both globally and within Thailand’s evolving mental health landscape (Neuroscience News).

A recent feature in The Atlantic has reignited the debate over how parents should handle children’s chores, highlighting a common mistake that may be holding kids back from developing essential life skills. While many Thai parents are eager for their children to become responsible and self-sufficient, a closer look at both international and Thai family trends reveals that adults may be inadvertently preventing youngsters from gaining the confidence and competence that household responsibilities can provide.

A recent Atlantic feature rekindles the debate on children’s chores and lifelong skills. It argues adults intervene too quickly, dampening kids’ confidence and competence. For Thai readers, the discussion resonates with calls for practical skills, autonomy, and nurturing responsible youth in a fast-changing society.

The article follows a Montessori preschool administrator who watches classrooms where children use small brooms and dustpans. Rather than stepping in right away, teachers allow the process to unfold, prioritizing long-term development. By year’s end, the children tidy on their own and take pride in their contributions to the classroom community. This stands in contrast to common Thai household patterns, where adults often complete chores to save time in busy urban life.

Everyday actions shape not just love, but the resilience of Thai families facing modern pressures. A recent feature by a psychology expert highlights micro-behaviors—tiny, often overlooked acts—that strengthen connection and endure stress. For a Thai audience, these insights translate into practical steps that fit local values and daily life.

In Thailand, grand gestures grab attention, but lasting bonds hinge on daily exchanges. How we ask questions, manage emotions, and acknowledge a partner’s growth sets the tone for harmony. Thai culture values family cohesion, indirect communication, and emotional self-control, making these micro-behaviors especially relevant as society changes. Steady relationship skills help couples blend tradition with transformation.

In today’s fast-paced world, relationships are often tested by the pressures of daily life, misunderstandings, and the ever-evolving nature of personal growth. A new article by psychologist Mark Travers, published on Forbes on July 19, 2025, spotlights the profound influence of “micro-behaviors”—tiny, often-overlooked actions that hold the power to transform how couples connect and thrive over time. These seemingly simple habits, backed by compelling research, could represent the building blocks for happier, more enduring partnerships, with important implications for Thai families and couples striving for harmony.

A recent viral article highlighting 47 extreme punishments experienced by children at the hands of their parents is fueling worldwide conversations over appropriate parenting, child welfare, and the thin line between discipline and abuse. Titled “That’s Torture”: 47 Children’s Punishments That Only Showed How Unfit Their Parents Were, the piece has generated an outpouring of personal stories, expert warnings, and demands for greater awareness of children’s rights, including among Thai families and educators.

A viral article detailing 47 severe punishments endured by children has sparked global debate about appropriate parenting, child welfare, and the boundary between discipline and abuse. While controversial, the piece has prompted Thai families, educators, and policymakers to reflect on how to raise children with dignity and safety.

Reports describe punishments ranging from exposure to cold weather to prolonged isolation and various forms of psychological discomfort. Respondents called many actions emotionally damaging, with some labeling them “torture.” The online conversations have drawn responses from parents, teachers, and child development experts, who stress the risks of harsh discipline and the challenge of balancing authority with empathy.

A growing number of parents and experts worldwide are highlighting that some “normal” parenting rules—long considered standard—may in fact cause lasting emotional damage to children, according to the latest digital debate and emerging scientific research. Recent discussions, sparked by a widely shared BuzzFeed article in July 2025, show how social media communities and mental health professionals increasingly question rules like constant teasing, forced affection, tough love, the suppression of children’s emotions, and respect for hierarchy regardless of mutual respect. Thai families, renowned for their warmth but also shaped by traditional hierarchies, may find these revelations particularly meaningful as the nation grapples with global trends in parenting and mental health.

As the long Thai school holidays approach, a wave of questions arises about the way parents handle everyday misbehavior in young children. A recent discussion ignited by the article “Why shouldn’t we call children ‘naughty’?” from The Spectator challenges the conventional wisdom of using labels like “naughty” to describe children’s bad behavior. The apparent simplicity of the term belies its potential to shape a child’s developing sense of self and influence the way children respond to authority, discipline, and emotional challenges—not just in Western societies but also within Thai families adjusting to modern parenting philosophies.

A long Thai school break is prompting fresh debates on how parents respond to small preschool missteps. The discussion around labeling children as “naughty” has sparked a wider conversation about language, discipline, and a child’s developing sense of self—topics that matter to Thai families navigating modern parenting while honoring traditional values.

Labeling a young child as naughty can do more than momentary shaming. Repeated labels shape self-identity and influence how children respond to authority and regulate emotions. A senior child psychologist notes that internalizing a negative label can lead a child to think “I am bad,” potentially fueling ongoing behavioral challenges. Language, therefore, can influence long-term behavior, not only immediate compliance.

A global conversation questions long-held parenting norms. New research suggests certain familiar practices can harm children’s emotional development. The discussion gained momentum after a widely shared July 2025 BuzzFeed piece, and mental health professionals emphasize moving away from constant teasing, forced affection, harsh discipline, and public shaming. Thai families, known for warmth yet rooted in traditional hierarchies, may find these insights especially relevant as they navigate modern parenting and mental health challenges.

A controversial moment at a baby shower has sparked nationwide discussion about empathy, etiquette, and family dynamics. A host who has faced infertility walked out after the expectant mother reportedly joked about the host’s struggles. The incident, first shared on an online forum and later covered by media, underscores the emotional weight of infertility and the need for sensitive social interactions.

Data from health authorities show infertility affects about 17% of couples of reproductive age worldwide. In Thailand, precise national statistics are limited, but medical professionals connected to the Royal Thai College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists emphasize greater awareness and reduced stigma. In Thai culture, where family continuity and motherhood are highly valued, fertility challenges can bring unique pressures shaped by traditional expectations.

A recent incident has ignited considerable public discussion about empathy, etiquette, and the complexity of family dynamics after a woman walked out of a baby shower she had organized, following an insensitive joke from the expectant mother referencing the host’s struggles with infertility. The story, originating from an online forum and reported by Yahoo Lifestyle, has since garnered widespread attention, highlighting the profound emotional impact of infertility and the importance of sensitivity in social interactions.

A new psychological study suggests that the way children are parented—especially when that parenting is cold, abusive, or overly controlling—can have lasting effects on their adult lives, with certain personality traits serving as the connecting thread. Published in Psychological Reports, the research sheds light on why negative parenting is tied to later emotional, social, and occupational difficulties, and points to the key role of personality traits such as conscientiousness in explaining this link (PsyPost).

A recent psychology study shows that parenting styles—especially cold, abusive, or overly controlling approaches—can leave lasting effects into adulthood. The research links early family environments to later emotional, social, and work-related challenges through traits like conscientiousness.

For Thai families and policymakers, these findings matter. Traditional parental authority and family cohesion remain influential in Thai culture. Understanding how early experiences shape skills such as adaptability, teamwork, and emotional regulation can guide supportive programs for youth nationwide.

A growing body of research is shining a spotlight on a deeply personal yet widely shared experience among new mothers—postpartum loneliness. While the joys and challenges of infancy are often discussed openly, the profound sense of isolation that can affect new mothers remains largely unspoken, despite its significant impact on mothers, families, and society as a whole.

For years, the narrative surrounding new motherhood has focused on physical recovery, infant care, and the balance between work and family. However, emerging studies and first-person accounts, such as the insights from a recent feature by Kara Kennedy in the Daily Mail, are revealing that loneliness is an underappreciated but critical factor affecting the wellbeing of new mothers. This isolation—often heightened by lifestyle changes, disrupted sleep, and societal expectations—can contribute to mental health challenges, including postpartum depression and anxiety, as emphasized by several recent studies (source).

A growing wave of psychological research and theory is turning the spotlight away from the individual mind and highlighting the profound impact of relationships on mental health. New arguments from the field of relational psychology challenge the traditional view that mental disorders are rooted solely within the individual, calling for a social and interpersonal understanding of mental wellbeing—a perspective with sweeping implications for how Thai society approaches mental health care.

A growing body of research links six small daily habits to happier, longer-lasting marriages. These actions don’t require costly retreats or intense therapy, yet they can boost daily happiness and relationship stability. The message resonates across Thailand, where family bonds remain central even as lifestyles shift.

In Thailand, family life is evolving with longer singlehood, shifting expectations, and rising divorce figures. Authorities say divorce rates have increased in recent years, underscoring the need for practical, evidence-based guidance that fits busy urban lives and rural routines alike. The six rituals offer accessible, science-based strategies that align with Thai customs and everyday routines.

In a world where relationships are under increasing strain, new research is spotlighting six small but powerfully effective daily habits linked to happier, longer-lasting marriages—findings that resonate with couples across Thailand as much as anywhere else. Compiled from the latest peer-reviewed studies, these rituals promise to help couples enjoy not only marital stability but also greater day-to-day happiness, all without expensive retreats or couples therapy marathons. The science suggests that, like any good recipe for longevity, it’s the daily consistency and intent that make the difference.

A new wave of research and storytelling is challenging longstanding perceptions of what it means to be a father in 21st-century Thailand, as highlighted by the recently launched book “Modern Fatherhood.” Drawing on the lived experiences of diverse fathers across Asia, the publication captures the evolving landscape of paternity, masculinity, and emotional connection—issues gaining traction in Thai society as traditional gender roles shift and families confront new realities.

For generations, Thai fathers were commonly expected to act as primary breadwinners and authority figures, often keeping emotional distance from their children. But as socioeconomic pressures and cultural influences change, fathers in urban and rural Thailand are increasingly reimagining their roles to include active caregiving, emotional vulnerability, and deeper engagement in their children’s lives. This trend parallels similar transformations in other parts of Asia, brought into the spotlight by the narratives compiled in “Modern Fatherhood,” published by Assouline and covered recently by Tatler Asia.

A growing wave of research and storytelling is reshaping what it means to be a father in 21st-century Thailand. The latest exploration of Modern Fatherhood highlights diverse experiences across Asia and shows how paternity, masculinity, and emotional connection are evolving in Thai families.

Traditionally, Thai fathers were expected to be breadwinners and authority figures, often distant from their children. Today, urban and rural dads are reimagining their roles to include active caregiving, emotional openness, and deeper involvement in daily family life. This shift mirrors regional changes and is echoed in conversations sparked by Modern Fatherhood, a book published in collaboration with a renowned publishing house and covered by Thai media.