Komunikasi Keluarga Batak Dalam Membangun Self Disclosure Bagi Anak Perempuan Akibat Fatherless

Abstract

Hana Debora 44220630, “Batak Family Communication in Building Self Disclosure for Daughters due to Fatherlessness”

This study aims to analyze family communication within Batak families regarding the development of self-disclosure among daughters growing up without a father (fatherless). A qualitative approach utilizing the phenomenological method was employed. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation involving six informants, fatherless daughters, key informants from their families, and additional informants knowledgeable about the family context and Batak culture. Data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman model, referencing the six characteristics of family communication outlined by Yerby, Buerkel-Rothfuss, and Bochner (1990). The results indicate that family communication plays a pivotal role in creating a safe space for daughters to engage in self-disclosure. Identified forms of communication include open dialogue between mother and daughter, the provision of emotional support, openness in sharing feelings and experiences, maternal closeness and guidance, and the application of Batak family values ​​as a source of support. Acceptance of the fatherless situation serves as the foundation for a more open communication pattern, while the closeness and commitment shared by mother and daughter foster a sense of security, enabling the daughter to express her thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences. These findings demonstrate that self-disclosure among fatherless daughters is not solely linked to the absence of a father figure but is also shaped by the quality of communication, emotional closeness, family support, and the cultural values ​​upheld within the family.