{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1726333,
        "msgid": "more-than-a-hobby-bird-enthusiasts-chirping-as-a-survival-mechanism-against-lifes-pressures-1778230585",
        "date": "2026-05-08 15:00:00",
        "title": "More Than a Hobby: Bird Enthusiasts' Chirping as a Survival Mechanism Against Life's Pressures",
        "author": "Faieq Hidayat",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Anthropology",
        "summary": "In the face of mounting urban pressures, many Indonesians find solace in the simple act of keeping and listening to singing birds, which serves as a coping mechanism for daily stresses, according to sociologist Rakhmat Hidayat from Universitas Negeri Jakarta. This hobby is deeply rooted in cultural transmission across generations, social environments like bird markets and communities, and collective activities such as competitions and WhatsApp groups, often linked to local practices associating it with masculinity and patience. Sociologically, these birds become emotional subjects rather than mere objects, symbolising social values and providing a sense of companionship, with high purchase prices reflecting not just vocal quality but also social prestige.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA - Amid the increasingly heavy and exhausting pressures of\nurban life, some people find peace in something simple: the sound of\nbirds chirping. Every morning, the chirps of birds in cages hung on the\nterraces of densely populated residential areas break the silence while\nsoothing their owners\u2019 minds. Sociologist from Universitas Negeri\nJakarta (UNJ), Rakhmat Hidayat, views keeping singing birds as more than\njust a hobby. \u201cThis hobby functions as a coping mechanism or a way to\nendure life\u2019s pressures,\u201d said Rakhmat when contacted by Kompas.com on\nThursday (7\/5\/2026). The sociologist stated that the bird chirping mania\nhobby develops through socialisation processes and cultural\nreproduction. This hobby is often passed down across generations, from\nsiblings, fathers, or grandfathers to their children. Then, there are\nsocial environmental factors such as neighbours, communities, and bird\nmarkets that ultimately form their own appeal. The next factor that\nmakes this hobby increasingly entrenched in society is the element of\ncollectivity. This is because bird enthusiasts often gather, hold\nmeetings, participate in inter-regional or city competitions, and are\nusually connected through WhatsApp groups. In many areas, the habit of\nkeeping singing birds is a local cultural practice often associated with\nmasculinity, perseverance, and the aesthetics of sound. \u201cBird owners are\noften seen as masculine and patient because they must care for the birds\nmeticulously,\u201d Rakhmat added. This becomes a symbol of values that are\npassed down and maintained as something unique and rare, so people\ngreatly enjoy it. In sociology, humans give meaning to objects through\nsocial interaction. Here, birds become \u201cemotional subjects\u201d, not just\nobjects. This is what makes singing birds considered equal to\nconversational companions or life partners, similar to how people keep\ncats or dogs. Buying birds at high prices is often not just about the\nquality of their voices, but also about social value.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-than-a-hobby-bird-enthusiasts-chirping-as-a-survival-mechanism-against-lifes-pressures-1778230585",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}