“Ya Luk Ka Tan Yoo”: An Ethnography of Filial Piety Culture, Medication Usage, and Health Perceptions of the Elderly in Rural Southern Thailand
Issued Date
2022-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16617827
eISSN
16604601
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85139767132
Pubmed ID
36231438
Journal Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
19
Issue
19
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.19 No.19 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Sringernyuang L., Sottiyotin T. “Ya Luk Ka Tan Yoo”: An Ethnography of Filial Piety Culture, Medication Usage, and Health Perceptions of the Elderly in Rural Southern Thailand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.19 No.19 (2022). doi:10.3390/ijerph191912134 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84674
Title
“Ya Luk Ka Tan Yoo”: An Ethnography of Filial Piety Culture, Medication Usage, and Health Perceptions of the Elderly in Rural Southern Thailand
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Filial piety is a Buddhist virtue, and its meaning varies across cultures. In Thailand, filial piety refers to an appreciation of one’s indebtedness to others. Previous studies showed that filial piety is deeply grounded in longstanding culture values and related to the health of the elderly. Information from some literature revealed that medicinal products given to the elderly by their children, called “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo”, were apparent in the communities of rural southern Thailand. This study aims to explore in depth how “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo” is perceived, valued, and functions in southern Thailand’s socio-cultural contexts. Ethnography methodology is used, and a researcher was embedded in the field for six months, gathering data through participant observation and ethno-graphic interviews with fifty-two respondents. The findings reveal that filial piety medication is related to the local meanings of medicine, children, and gratitude. “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo,” in the eyes of both the elderly and their children, encompasses more than just health. Implicit herein are the concepts of a means of care and gratitude and a symbol of life. Filial piety medication is thus a carrier/medium of physical, financial, and emotional support. This research reveals how the ill health of the elderly is transformed to a commodity. Nonetheless, the negative impact of the efficacy of filial piety medication remains an issue of concern among professionals. The findings indicate that people are aware of the risks associated with self-medication. However, they insisted that their use was still necessary and justifiable.