Nine chapters emphasizing religious, domestic, and economic aspects of women in Southeast Asia are presented. In an introductory chapter, Penny Van Esterik discusses women and Buddhism, societal and domestic roles, occupational patterns, research on women in Southeast Asia, and Southeast Asia's past and future. In chapter 2, "Buddhism, Sex-Roles, and the Thai Economy," Thomas Kirsch examines the role and features of Thai Buddhism, sex roles in the Thai family, aspects of and recent developments in the Thai economy, division of labor by sex, and developments in modern Thai Buddhism. The next two chapters, "Women Meditation Teachers in Thailand" (John Van Esterik), and "Laywomen in Theravada Buddhism" (Penny Van Esterik), are followed by a chapter entitled "Putting Malay Women in Their Place," in which Carol C. Laderman examines women's occupations, women and local politics, marriage and divorce, theories of conception and gestation, and dangers of childbirth. Subsequent chapters include "Women in Java's Rural Middle Class: Progress or Regress" (Valerie L. Hull), "Women and Men in Iloilo, Philippines: 1903-1970" (M. Christina Blanc Szanton), and "Sex Roles in the Philippines: The Ambiguous Cebuana" (Clark D. Neher). The final chapter, "Sexual Status in Southeast Asia: Comparative Perspectives on Women, Agriculture, and Political Organization" (Robert L. Winzeler), is followed by an appendix that includes a list of research questions, a bibliography of over 300 related resources, and an index. Over 20 tables and figures are included in the text. (LH)