Impact of Coastal Tourism on Changing Gender Relations within Households:A Case Study of Hikkaduwa in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper presents a sociological analysis of gender relations within the household under the influence of coastal tourism in Southern Sri Lanka. The study was carried out in Narigama – Wellabada and Wewala, two Grama Niladhari divisions at Hikkaduwa Divisional Secretariat division in the Galle district of Southern province. In-depth interviews, case studies and participant observation were used to collect qualitative information and quantitative data. The research problem investigated in the study was whether the tourist industry has made an impact on existing gender relations within the household in coastal Hikkaduwa area. Women received better economic strength and power and are in a better bargaining position through tourism. Industry has helped them to participate more positively in the decision making process of the household. Even though women had received more economic strength, men continued to receive household headship. Although women have devoted their efforts for income earning, they do not receive proper recognition and social status and are not appreciated properly due to established patriarchal attitudes. In the household, both husband and wife cooperated well to increase the family income, but when it came to distributing resources, the husband always had a better share. Hence, the tourist industry affects men and women differently.