Not Just Physical Presence: IPB University Expert Emphasises the Importance of Fatherly Function in Child-Rearing
The issue of fatherlessness, or the absence of a father’s role, is currently under the spotlight in Indonesia. However, Prof. Euis Sunarti, Professor in Family Resilience and Empowerment at IPB University, emphasises that this phenomenon cannot be viewed solely through the lens of whether a father is physically present at home.
According to Prof. Euis, fatherlessness truly refers to the absence of a role, not merely the absence of the physical body. She highlights the phenomenon of a father who is present but absent, where a father lives in the same house but is not emotionally involved in child-rearing.
Based on data from the 2024 National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas), approximately 20.1% of Indonesian children are at risk of growing up without fatherly upbringing.
Indicators include children living only with their mother, living with grandparents, or having a father who works more than 12 hours a day.
Although the figure is significant, Prof. Euis urges the public to interpret it wisely.
“It is a warning for us to increase awareness. Do not immediately assume that all such conditions have a negative impact,” she stated during the IPB Podcast.
The impact of fatherlessness greatly depends on the availability of substitute figures. Prof. Euis explains that the fatherly function can be filled by grandfathers, uncles, teachers, or positive social environments.
In fact, in many cases, children who lose their biological father (orphans) can still grow up successfully without behavioural deviations as long as their emotional needs are met.
“Many orphaned children succeed… So it’s not about the presence or absence of a father, but whether the upbringing function is present,” she clarified.
Conversely, emotional neglect by a physically present father can cause deeper wounds. Prof. Euis found that children often prefer to be scolded rather than ignored.
“There are children who say it’s better to be shouted at than ignored. This means that the need for attention is very basic,” she added.
To address this challenge, Prof. Euis offers two main approaches:
Quality Over Quantity: Parents need to create positive core memories through consciously planned togetherness.
“Greet them, listen, or make special agendas with the children so that the father’s presence is truly felt,” she revealed.
Community Care: Activating the role of neighbours and extended family through the Family-Friendly Village concept to create a healthy growth space for children.
In conclusion, she reminds that the narrative about the high rate of fatherlessness in Indonesia should not be used to corner fathers or create negative stigma. The main focus must be on increasing awareness and strengthening environmental support for family resilience.