Perempuan Single Parent pada Era Digitalisasi; Studi Komunikasi Budaya atas Perubahan Zaman dan Pandangan Masyarakat

Abstract

The development of the digital era has brought significant changes in people's perspectives and communication patterns, including for women with single-parent status. In the past, particularly during the patriarchal era, cultural norms and values tended to place single-parent women in a more challenging position, often accompanied by negative stigma. According to data from DataIndonesia.id, the number of single-parent women in Indonesia in 2021 was higher than that of widowed men. Women who experienced separation, whether due to divorce or the death of a spouse, accounted for 12.83% of the population, whereas men in the same situation only made up 4.32%.

The social transformation brought about by the digital era reflects that the increasing number of single-parent women goes hand in hand with greater opportunities for them to develop themselves, including in economic aspects. This study focuses on understanding the identity of single-parent women in the digital era through three key concepts: externalization, objectivation, and internalization.

Using a qualitative method with a social construction approach, this research collects data through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings indicate that single-parent women perceive their status as a learning experience in independence, allowing them to work and pursue careers without limitations. Additionally, they can leverage social media as a platform to enhance their quality of life and expand their social networks. Society has also begun to acknowledge that single-parent women are now more confident and comfortable with their status.

With advancements in technology and information, being a single parent is no longer viewed as something to be feared or constantly stigmatized. Instead, the meaning of this status has evolved into something more positive and inclusive.