Overcoming Patriarchal Cultural Behaviors That Have the Potential to Increase Stunting Through Child Protection Law: Mengatasi Perilaku Budaya Patriarki Yang Perpotensi Meningkatkan Stunting Melalui Undang-Undang Perlindungan Anak

Ellon Belwan Cornelius Mau; Yanto Melkianus Paulus Ekon; Adriani Rafael; Ewinda Isensi Feni

doi:10.47268/pamali.v6i2.3765

Authors

Ellon Belwan Cornelius Mau ✉ Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana , Indonesia
Yanto Melkianus Paulus Ekon Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana , Indonesia
Adriani Rafael Universitas Kristen Artha Wacana , Indonesia
Ewinda Isensi Feni Universitas San Pedro , Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47268/pamali.v6i2.3765

Keywords:

Patriarchal Culture, Stunting, Children's Rights, Parental Responsibility

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.

References

Ahmed, Mekiya, Kebebush Zepre, Kifle Lentero, Tigist Gebremariam, Zeyneba Jemal, Asegedech Wondimu, Jemal Bedewi, Tamirat Melis, and Alazar Gebremeskel. “The Relationship between Maternal Employment and Stunting among 6–59 Months Old Children in Gurage Zone Southern Nation Nationality People’s Region, Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.” Frontiers in Nutrition 9 (2022): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.964124.

Arsyia Fajarrini, and Aji Nasrul Umam. “Dampak Fatherless Terhadap Karakter Anak Dalam Pandangan Islam”. Abata: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam Anak Usia Dini 3, no. 1 (2023): 20-28. https://doi.org/10.32665/abata.v3i1.1425.

Atomei, Oana Liliana, Petronela Vicoveanu, Camelia Oana Iațcu, Florina Ioana Gliga, Calin Coriolan Craciun, and Monica Tarcea. 2025. “Associations Between Maternal Meal Frequency Patterns During Pregnancy and Neonatal Anthropometric Outcomes: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study.” Nutrients 17, no. 15 (2025): 2437. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152437.

Badan Kebijakan Pembangunan Kesehatan (BKPK). 2024. Portrait of Stunting in Indonesia. Jakarta. https://www.badankebijakan.kemkes.go.id/en/potret-stunting-di-indonesia/.

Chand, Satish Prakash. “Methods of Data Collection in Qualitative Research: Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations, and Document Analysis.” Advances in Educational Research and Evaluation 6, no. 1 (2025): 303–317. https://doi.org/10.25082/aere.2025.01.001.

Dembele, Bernard. “Sex Differences in Child Stunting in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis of Twenty Countries from 2010 to 2016.” World Nutrition 16, no. 1 (2025): 2-10. https://doi.org/10.26596/wn.20251612-10.

Diana, Rian, Riris Diana Rachmayanti, Ali Khomsan, and Hadi Riyadi. “Influence of Eating Concept on Eating Behavior and Stunting in Indonesian Madurese Ethnic Group.” Journal of Ethnic Foods 9, no. 48 (2022): 1-11.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-022-00162-3.

Ishaq, H. Metode Penelitian Hukum. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2017.

Lamada, Victoria Tabita Majesty, and Tetania Retno Gumilang. “The Function of Legal Research in Formulation of Legislation.” Jurnal Hukum Prasada 7, no. 1 (2020): 61–65. https://doi.org/10.22225/jhp.7.1.2020.61-65.

Mulyani, Aisyah Tri, Miski Aghnia Khairinisa, Alfi Khatib, and Anis Yohana Chaerunisaa. “Understanding Stunting: Impact, Causes, and Strategy to Accelerate Stunting Reduction—A Narrative Review.” Nutrients 17, no.9 (2025): 1493, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091493.

Palan Peten, Yasinta Y, Yosef Dionisius Lamawuran, Paulus Adrianus, and K L Ratumakin. 2023. “Penanganan Stunting Dalam Budaya Patriarki: Analisis Gender Program Gerobak Cinta di Kabupaten Flores Timur.” Jurnal Trias Politika 7, no. 2 (2023): 262-281. https://doi.org/10.33373/jtp.v7i2.5618.

Pienaah, Cornelius K.A., Mildred Naamwintome Molle, and Isaac Luginaah. “The Role of Child Nutrition Counselling, Gender Dynamics, and Intra-Household Feeding Decision-Making on Child Dietary Diversity in Semi-Arid Northern Ghana.” Appetite 204 (2025): 107755. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107755.

Prameswari, Yoga Putra. “Manifestasi Patriarki Dalam Kejadian Stunting Studi Kasus 5 (Lima) Keluarga Di Kapanewon Kalibawang, Kabupaten Kulonprogo.” Yogyakarta: Magister Ilmu Politik Dan Pemerintahan Fakultas Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Gadjah Mada, 2022.

Raghavan, Ramkripa, Carol Dreibelbis, Brittany L. Kingshipp, Yat Ping Wong, Barbara Abrams, Alison D. Gernand, Kathleen M. Rasmussen, et al. “Dietary Patterns before and during Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review.” The American journal of clinical nutrition 109, no. 1 (2019): 729S-756S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy353.

Rembu, Yoakim, Pionisius Minggu, Yohanes Fritantus, Hendrikus Hironimus Botha, and Marthen Patiung. “Analisis Governance Networking Dalam Implementasi Kebijakan Penanganan Stunting di Kabupaten Timor Tengah Utara.” Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi 16, no. 2 (2025): 15-30. https://doi.org/10.23969/kebijakan.v16i02.13391.

Rija Helti, Mestika, and Nila Hayati. “Maternal Work Status and Nutritional Knowledge as Predictors of Toddler Stunting: Evidence from Asahan Regency, Indonesia.” Contagion: Scientific Periodical Journal of Public Health and Coastal Health 7, no. 2 (2025): 84-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.30829/contagion.v7i2.25432.

Sarilisnawati, Pengetahuan, Hamzah Hasyim, and Nur Alam Fajar. “Analisis Hubungan Karakteristik Ibu, Pengetahuan Sosial Budaya Dengan Kejadian Stunting”, Jurnal Kesehatan 13, no. 1 (2022): 151–60. https://doi.org/10.35730/jk.v13i0.741.

Sugiyono. Metode Penelitian Pendidikan: Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif Dan R&D. Bandung: Alfabeta, 2016.

UNICEF Indonesia. Update Indonesia Nutrition Bulletin: April–Juni 2025.

Widyani, Retno, Li Wei, and Wang Jun. “Empirical Legal Research Methods: Applications in Legal Research in Indonesia.” Rechtsnormen: Journal of Law 3, no. 4 (2025): 189-199. https://doi.org/10.70177/rjl.v3i4.2095.

Yunani, Yunani, and Yuniastini Yuniastini. “Faktor- Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kejadian Stunting Pada 1000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan.” Holistik Jurnal Kesehatan 15, no. 2 (2021): 256-266, https://doi.org/10.33024/hjk.v15i2.4546.