Traditionally, Cambodian men were the heads of Cambodian families,
responsible for providing income, food and shelter, but as many of Cambodian men
suffered the cruel effects of decades of war, women are more common than not,
the family heads. In Cambodia today, only 20 to 30%
of the adults are male, and many of which are not direct, but rather extended
family members due to the Khmer rouge era (see
POL POT).
Much importance and attention are directed towards children,
who are given extensive affection and encouragement to be both independent and
successful, thereby caring for parents as they age. Some Cambodian
families consider five children the ideal number. When
prepared for
marriage, some traditional families choose their children's spouse accordingly,
but you'd be hard pressed finding this practice in the major cities.
About 80% of Cambodia's people, Khmer, live in
rural areas. Most small villages are home to about 300 people and are
built near roadways or water and contain an elementary school and
centralized temple, or Wat.
Rural houses are built on stilts due to the monsoons that
bring heavy rain which flood low grounded houses, ladders
or stairs are used to enter and leave homes. Most rural houses have woven bamboo
walls, wooden floors and thatched roofs made of palm leaves and other natural
materials. Underneath the living quarters are used to, house animals or
for storage purposes.
Rural life has a simplistic way of life with few commodities,
as this is where some of the poorest people in Cambodia reside. People
sleep on the floor on mats and keep their belongings in baskets and chests,
kitchen's are separate, but near by to the house.
