The Role of Mabalu in Parenting Children

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 7 views

The Role of Mabalu (Single Mother) in Parenting Children in Toba Batak Families in Tarutung

Introduction

In many cultures, the role of a single mother is often viewed as a challenging and daunting task. However, in the Toba Batak ethnic family in Tarutung, the single mother, known as Mabalu, plays a vital role in parenting children. This study aims to analyze the assistance strategy carried out by Mabalu and identify the obstacles faced by them using structural functional theory. The research was conducted in Tarutung, North Tapanuli Regency, using a qualitative descriptive method by conducting in-depth interviews of 13 informants and observations.

The Role of Mabalu in Parenting Children

The results of this study showed that Mabalu applies a child's parenting that is democratic. This parenting involves open communication and mutual respect between mother and child, which can strengthen emotional bonds and mutual understanding. In the Toba Batak culture, Mabalu is expected to be a strong and independent individual who can provide for her children's physical, emotional, and psychological needs. They are also expected to be a role model for their children, teaching them important values such as respect, discipline, and responsibility.

Obstacles Faced by Mabalu

Despite their best efforts, Mabalu faces numerous obstacles in parenting their children. Some of the challenges they face include negative social stigma, unfavorable economic factors, lack of involvement in traditional events, as well as the lack of attention from other family members. Mabalu often feels loneliness, which can affect their mental and emotional well-being. This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from their community, making it even more difficult for them to provide for their children's needs.

The Dual Role of Mabalu

The dual role undertaken by Mabalu emerged in response to social dysfunction in the community. They must adapt to existing conditions and needs, which are often different from parenting in the complete family in the Toba Batak ethnic. This can be a challenging task, as Mabalu must balance their own needs and desires with the needs of their children. They must also navigate the complex social dynamics of their community, where they may face judgment and criticism from others.

The Importance of this Research

The importance of this research lies in the emphasis that the parenting applied by Mabalu has significantly affecting child development. There is a significant difference between the Mabalu care and parenting style in a complete family, which can have an impact on the character and behavior of children. Therefore, it is expected that the Toba Batak Ethnic community can be more active in supporting the life of Mabalu, by giving greater attention and support.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of Mabalu in parenting children in Toba Batak families in Tarutung is a complex and multifaceted one. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Mabalu plays a vital role in providing for their children's physical, emotional, and psychological needs. This study highlights the importance of supporting Mabalu and their children, and provides a foundation for further research on the parenting of single mothers in the Toba Batak ethnic community.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The Toba Batak Ethnic community should be more active in supporting the life of Mabalu, by giving greater attention and support.
Mabalu should be provided with access to resources and services that can help them to care for their children, such as education and healthcare.
The community should work to reduce the negative social stigma associated with single motherhood, and promote a more positive and supportive attitude towards Mabalu and their children.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

The sample size was small, consisting of only 13 informants.
The study was conducted in a single community, and may not be generalizable to other communities.
The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias and error.

Future Research Directions

This study provides a foundation for further research on the parenting of single mothers in the Toba Batak ethnic community. Some potential areas for future research include:

A larger-scale study that examines the experiences of Mabalu in different communities.
A study that examines the impact of Mabalu's parenting style on child development.
A study that explores the ways in which the community can support Mabalu and their children.

References

[List of references cited in the study]

Appendix

[Appendix materials, such as additional data or figures, that support the findings of the study]
Q&A: The Role of Mabalu (Single Mother) in Parenting Children in Toba Batak Families in Tarutung

Q: What is the role of Mabalu in the Toba Batak ethnic family?

A: In the Toba Batak ethnic family, Mabalu, or a single mother, plays a vital role in parenting children. They are expected to be a strong and independent individual who can provide for their children's physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Q: What kind of parenting style do Mabalu use?

A: The results of this study showed that Mabalu applies a child's parenting that is democratic. This parenting involves open communication and mutual respect between mother and child, which can strengthen emotional bonds and mutual understanding.

Q: What are the obstacles faced by Mabalu?

A: Despite their best efforts, Mabalu faces numerous obstacles in parenting their children. Some of the challenges they face include negative social stigma, unfavorable economic factors, lack of involvement in traditional events, as well as the lack of attention from other family members.

Q: How does Mabalu feel about being a single mother?

A: Mabalu often feels loneliness, which can affect their mental and emotional well-being. This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection from their community, making it even more difficult for them to provide for their children's needs.

Q: What is the dual role of Mabalu?

A: The dual role undertaken by Mabalu emerged in response to social dysfunction in the community. They must adapt to existing conditions and needs, which are often different from parenting in the complete family in the Toba Batak ethnic.

Q: Why is it important to support Mabalu and their children?

A: The parenting applied by Mabalu has significantly affecting child development. There is a significant difference between the Mabalu care and parenting style in a complete family, which can have an impact on the character and behavior of children.

Q: What can the community do to support Mabalu and their children?

A: The community can be more active in supporting the life of Mabalu, by giving greater attention and support. They can also provide access to resources and services that can help Mabalu to care for their children, such as education and healthcare.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including a small sample size, a single community, and reliance on self-reported data.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: This study provides a foundation for further research on the parenting of single mothers in the Toba Batak ethnic community. Some potential areas for future research include a larger-scale study, a study that examines the impact of Mabalu's parenting style on child development, and a study that explores the ways in which the community can support Mabalu and their children.

Q: What are the implications of this study for policy and practice?

A: The findings of this study have implications for policy and practice in supporting single mothers and their children. They highlight the need for greater attention and support for Mabalu and their children, and the importance of providing access to resources and services that can help them to care for their children.

Q: What are the recommendations for future research?

A: Future research should aim to build on the findings of this study, and explore the experiences of Mabalu in different communities. They should also examine the impact of Mabalu's parenting style on child development, and explore the ways in which the community can support Mabalu and their children.