Peer-reviewed article
Overcoming Patriarchal Cultural Behaviors That Have the Potential to Increase Stunting Through Child Protection Law
Ellon Belwan Cornelius Mau, Yanto Melkianus Paulus Ekon, Adriani Rafael, Ewinda Isensi Feni ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This legal and qualitative study looks at how patriarchal culture relates to stunting in Noemuti District, North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It reports that fathers' dominance in household decisions affects children's nutrition and health. The authors also examine whether the Child Protection Law could be used to hold parents, especially fathers, responsible for fulfilling children's rights. The study did not test an intervention.
Key points
- Stunting rates in East Nusa Tenggara are linked to patriarchal practices that shape household decision-making.
- Mothers depend on their husbands' decisions.
- Feeding times for children are not kept consistently, starting from pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Mothers carry a double burden.
- The Child Protection Law could be used through public education and enforcement of parents' obligations, especially fathers'.
Limitations
Only the abstract was available. It gives no sample size, no statistical results and no description of how the relationship was measured, so the claim of a 'significant relationship' cannot be checked. The findings come from one district and a qualitative design, and they show no tested effect of the law on stunting.
Abstract
Introduction: The high rate of stunting in East Nusa Tenggara Province is related to patriarchal cultural practices that affect decision-making patterns in households. The dominance of fathers in determining aspects of child nutrition and health has an impact on the fulfillment of children's rights, especially in North Central Timor Regency. Purposes of the Research: This study aims to analyze the relationship between patriarchal culture and stunting and assess the role of the Child Protection Law in efforts to overcome it. Methods of the Research: This study uses a descriptive normative-empirical legal research method with a qualitative approach through non-participatory observations, direct interviews, and normative studies of the Child Protection Law. Results Main Findings of the Research: The results of the study showed a significant relationship between patriarchal culture and the increase in stunting rates in Noemuti District, North Central Timor Regency. The main findings included maternal dependence on husbands' decisions, low discipline in children's feeding time since pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the phenomenon of double burdens experienced by mothers. These conditions have an impact on the non-optimal fulfillment of child nutrition and health. The Child Protection Law has the potential to be used as a normative, imperative, and repressive instrument through socialization and enforcement of the obligations of parents, especially fathers (in patriarchal culture), in ensuring the fulfillment of children's rights.