Aussie, RI families face common problems<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite cultural differences, both Australian
\nand Indonesian families face similar problems and need the same
\nprotection, a seminar concluded.<\/p>\n
Dr. Renate Howe of the Deakin University in Victoria, with Dr.
\nT.O. Ichromi and Dr. Saparinah Sadli of the University of
\nIndonesia (UI) discussed yesterday the impact of societal changes
\non the make up of family life in both countries. The discussion
\nwas held by UI's Australian Studies Program.<\/p>\n
Howe identified several major differences between the two
\ncountries, including the form of the family, and the relationship
\nbetween it, and its support by the state.<\/p>\n
In Australia, numerous pieces of legislation have been passed
\nto reinforce its typical family, which consists of a father,
\nmother and two or three children with father as breadwinner and
\nmother devoting herself to the care of home, spouse and children.<\/p>\n
One law regulates the minimum wage which would be adequate for
\na married male worker to support a wife, child and 2 or 3
\nchildren.<\/p>\n
The major similarity, she said, is that \"in both countries,
\nthe family is the focus of both tradition and change.\"<\/p>\n
Howe said her government's interventions have not taken
\nresponsibility away from the family but supported it in the
\ncaring for children and elderly.<\/p>\n
Sadli said the Indonesian government has conducted a number of
\nintervention programs for the family, including family planning,
\ncompulsory education, health and motherhood.<\/p>\n
Howe explored a number of concerns for Australian families
\nduring this International Year of the Family, including the
\nincreasing diversity within and between families brought about by
\nthe country's post-war immigration program.<\/p>\n
Other concerns identified were the impact of the increasing
\nnumber of women entering employment, the disadvantaged families,
\nviolence within the family, and the problem of aging.<\/p>\n
Sadli found that Indonesia is facing similar concerns. The
\nissue of women entering paid work, either for economic motives or
\nas a way to actualize their potentials, is also affecting
\nIndonesian society, she said.<\/p>\n
Relatively new<\/p>\n
The change, she said, is relatively new and, therefore,
\ncreating conflicts within the family or the society. Based on
\nsuch observations, she classified Indonesian families into two
\ncategories, traditional and neo-traditional.<\/p>\n
In the traditional families, the gender-based roles are
\nmaintained firmly, while the neo-traditional families show
\nrelationship patterns which are modified in response to the
\nsurrounding changes.<\/p>\n
\"We can expect the number of neo-traditional families to go on
\nincreasing, due to the ongoing development process and the
\ninevitable globalization trend,\" Sadli said.<\/p>\n
The campaign for small families will result in the formation
\nof \"extended nuclear families\" whose life and work styles will be
\nadapted to the need of small families, but with all of the
\nemotional support group from \"extended families\" maintained, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The other issues, including the needs of disadvantaged
\nfamilies and the elderly, are also concerns of Indonesian
\nfamilies, Sadli said. \"Those issues, which are our common
\nproblems, will prevail unless we both start to work on finding
\nthe best solutions.\"(swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aussie-ri-families-face-common-problems-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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