The study was carried out in Bukittinggi City, focusing on fathers who run businesses from home. While this group is expected to have greater flexibility and more time with their children, the results reveal a different reality: physical presence does not automatically translate into emotional involvement. The findings shed light on the persistent issue of “fatherlessness,” where fathers are present but not actively engaged in children’s lives.
Background: Fathers Still Seen as Breadwinners
Fathers play a crucial role in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. However, in many Indonesian families, parenting is still largely viewed as the mother’s responsibility. Strong patriarchal norms position fathers primarily as financial providers rather than caregivers.
Recent data indicates that around 20.9% of children in Indonesia grow up without active father involvement. This lack of engagement is linked to various developmental challenges, including language delays, social-emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, and academic struggles.
Interestingly, this issue persists even among fathers who work from home—suggesting that time availability alone is not the key factor. Instead, internal beliefs and cultural expectations appear to play a more decisive role.
Methodology: Survey of 97 Fathers
The study used a quantitative correlational design involving 97 fathers in Bukittinggi who operate home-based businesses. Participants were selected using purposive sampling.
Data was collected through structured questionnaires measuring:
- Masculine ideology (beliefs about male roles)
- Father involvement in childcare
The researchers analyzed the data using Pearson correlation to determine the relationship between these variables.
Key Findings: A Significant Negative Relationship
The results show a significant negative correlation between masculine ideology and father involvement, with a coefficient of r = -0.380 (p < 0.001).
This means:
- The stronger a father adheres to traditional masculine values,
- The lower his involvement in childcare.
Conversely, fathers with more flexible views of masculinity tend to be more engaged—both physically and emotionally.
The study also found that:
- Fathers working from home have high physical availability
- But emotional engagement—such as warm communication, affection, and active interaction—remains low
In other words, many fathers are physically present but emotionally distant.
Why Masculine Ideology Matters
Traditional masculine norms often emphasize:
- Strength and toughness
- The role of provider
- Rejection of behaviors considered “feminine,” including nurturing and emotional expression
As a result, activities like caregiving, expressing affection, or engaging emotionally with children may be seen as incompatible with masculine identity.
“The stronger the traditional masculine ideology, the more limited the father’s emotional involvement in parenting,” Zahra noted in the study.
The research also points to the concept of “masculinity threat,” where men feel uncomfortable engaging in activities perceived as undermining their masculine identity.
Impact on Children and Families
Limited emotional involvement from fathers can have long-term consequences, including:
- Unmet emotional needs
- Weak parent-child bonding
- Increased risk of social and emotional development issues
Over time, this can affect how children form relationships in adulthood.
On the other hand, active and warm father involvement is associated with:
- Higher self-confidence
- Better academic performance
- Stronger emotional stability
Implications: Rethinking Masculinity
The study emphasizes that increasing father involvement is not just about providing more time or flexible work arrangements. It requires a shift in how masculinity is understood.
The researchers recommend:
- Promoting awareness among fathers about the importance of emotional engagement
- Developing family education programs that encourage active father participation
- Encouraging more flexible and egalitarian views of masculinity
Fathers are not only providers—they are also caregivers, educators, and emotional anchors in a child’s life.
Author Profile
- Zulian Fikry
- Yuninda Tria Ningsih
- Maya Yasmin
All authors are affiliated with Universitas Negeri Padang and focus on parenting, gender roles, and family dynamics in Indonesia.
Source
This study delivers a clear message: being physically present is not enough. Children need fathers who are emotionally present, engaged, and responsive.
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