Although Karen society is matriarchal, a wife regards her husband as the head of the family. In the household, the wife is mainly responsible for household chores with assistance from children in order to lessen the burden of the workload. The husband is the one who works outside, is a wage earner or is in contact with local people. These factors enable him to have an opportunity to improve himself and to speak the northern Thai dialect more than his wife. Furthermore, he has more decision-making power than his wife. Traditional roles of Karen women are equal to those of Karen men, ranging from partner selection to marriage. After marriage, the groom is obliged to move in with the bride. Marriage ceremony is conducted at the bride’s house, and she may be in charge of more expenditure than the groom. Selecting partners in the same society gives widows an opportunity to a new marriage; however, divorcees or those separated are not given this opportunity. Religiously, men have always conducted rituals from ancient times, and women do household chores without having time to attend the rituals. Nevertheless, they have a role in preparing sacrificial items for the rituals. Children in the village are encouraged to study in school within and outside their village. Village schools offer only a four-year compulsory education, so those wanting to study higher levels are required to study in cities, leading to mal-adjustment problems. Girls have fewer opportunities for education than boys due to the high cost and safety. In addition, women also play an economic role in highland rice cultivation and, in some households, work longer hours than men, who are household heads. Furthermore, they spend their free time earning daily wages to support their families.