Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Year: 2023
DOI:
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The Emerging of a New Culture and Gender Equality Among Javanese Women Who Married to French Locals Related to Javanese Values of 3M
Hany Nurahmawati
ABSTRACT:
The phenomenon of intercultural marriages reflects modern trends in promoting gender equality. In Indonesia, the number of mixed marriages has been steadily increasing, particularly among Javanese women who marry French locals and relocate to France. Javanese society is one of the largest and most influential cultural groups in Indonesia. Traditionally, in accordance with their patriarchal conception, Javanese culture limited women within the 3M: Macak-Manak-Masak (Beautifying herself-Giving offspring-Cooking). This study explores how Javanese women in France, who are married to French locals, navigate their integration of Javanese and French cultures in the setting of Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité (freedom, equality, fraternity), while striving for gender equality in line with the Javanese values of 3M. Under phenomenological research, data were gathered through in-depth interviews using snowball sampling with 11 Javanese married women who migrated to Paris. The findings revealed an intriguing aspect: contrary to traditional Javanese norms, these Javanese women hold positions of égalité (equality) with their husbands. This study also revealed that in order to maintain a harmonious married life in France, Javanese women and French locals had to adapt, negotiate, integrate, and create new cultures. The cultural integration of Javanese values on 3M, can only be pursued successfully if the Javanese women and French locals are inclusive in their approach to cultural diversity.
keywords: Intercultural communication, Javanese women and French locals, 3M: Macak-Manak-Masak, New Culture, Gender equality