Gender Relations and Subjective Family Well-Being Among Farmer Families: A Comparative Study Between Uplands and Lowlands Areas in West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

<p>The objectives of this study are described as follows: (1) To examine the conditions of<br />social, economic and demographic characteristics of poor farmer families who live at<br />uplands and lowlands areas, (2) to describe the social-cultural and agroecosystem<br />conditions of poor farmer families who live at uplands and lowlands areas, (3) To<br />explain type of gender relations of poor farmer families who live at uplands and<br />lowlands areas, and (4) to analyze factors that influenced subjective family well-being<br />of poor farmer families who live at uplands and lowlands areas. The chosen research<br />sites were Nanggung Sub-district, Bogor District as an upland area, and West Teluk<br />Jambe Sub-district, Karawang District, West Java Province as a lowland area. The total<br />of 189 farmer families was used for this study (n= 90 in uplands district areas, and n=<br />99 in lowlands district areas). It was found that the conditions of social-cultural and<br />agroecosystem differ between upland and lowland areas. In general, both upland and<br />lowland areas gender roles on farming activities, in terms of access and control to<br />agricultural resources, were dominated by men. Family well-being was directly<br />influenced by higher education of husband and wife, indirectly influenced by less<br />economic pressure of the family, directly influenced by higher gender relations between<br />husband and wife, and directly influenced by less or higher external support. Thus,<br />wealthy farmer families were the family that had educated husband and wife, less<br />economic pressures, equal gender relations and partnerships, and less or more receive<br />external supports. It is recommended that the next study should add variables of family<br />coping strategies related to family economic pressure and gender roles between husband<br />and wife.</p>

Ethnobotany of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) in the Sasak Community, Kekait Village, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

“…The same thing was found by Hapsari et al (2017) in six districts in East Java the majority of men were found working in agriculture during the day, while women were at home. Puspitawati et al (2018) state that in general, gender roles in agricultural activities, in terms of access and control of agricultural resources, are dominated by men. Role differentiation is a structural prerequisite for family survival.…”

“…Role differentiation is a structural prerequisite for family survival. If women must continue to be involved in aren farming (yield utilization) which requires continued presence and time, it will create a family imbalance that can lead to the achievement of wrong family goals (Puspitawati et al 2018).…”

Social norms and perceptions drive women’s participation in agricultural decisions in West Java, Indonesia

“…According to Agarwal (1994), social norms about the role of women, as justified by tradition and religion, can prevent women from being involved in agriculture. In Indonesia, women are perceived as mostly occupied with child-rearing and domestic activities, women allocate labour to agriculture, but agricultural activities and decisions are considered men's domain (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018). This further leads to women's lower participation in extension programs and limited access to land and agricultural inputs.…”

“…In general, women's roles in Indonesia are likely influenced by tradition, religious beliefs, plantation politics during Dutch colonialism, and dogmatic government during the New Order era from 1966 to 1998 (Backues 1992;Koning et al 2000). In rural Indonesia, men are regarded as the head of the family and the primary decision-maker (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018). The traditional roles for wives and husbands emphasise that a woman's place is in the domestic sphere; where men are responsible for family income while women run the household and take care of the children (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018).…”

“…In rural Indonesia, men are regarded as the head of the family and the primary decision-maker (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018). The traditional roles for wives and husbands emphasise that a woman's place is in the domestic sphere; where men are responsible for family income while women run the household and take care of the children (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018). Although women play a significant role in agricultural activities, their participation is often considered to be merely helping their husbands, and their role is commonly under-recognized due to social norms that limit women's participation in decision-making at both the household and community levels (Herartri 2005;Puspitawati et al 2018;Wijers 2019).…”