A Study of the Factors Contributing to the Marginalization of Women in Khon Performance

Abstract

The study on the factors that contribute to the marginalization of women in Khon performance aims to investigate the various factors that limit women’s roles in Khon. This qualitative research focuses on the Royal Khon performances from 2018 to 2024, employing the concept of Gender Role as an analytical framework. The study is based on document analysis and related research.

The findings derived from examining episode titles, the number of performers, and the roles of male and female performers show that the factors contributing to the marginalization of women in Khon include role limitations defined by traditional scripts, gendered restrictions shaped by customary norms, and social–cultural values. Khon functions as a cultural mechanism that reinforces traditional gender roles, positioning men as figures of authority while assigning women to supplementary or secondary roles.