Fathers’ Involvement in Early Childhood Education in Indonesia

Abstract

This study explores the importance and challenges of the fathers' engagement in early years education in Indonesia. Previous research highlight that the fathers' involvement in children education could give positive feedback for both the father and the children. Fathers’ participation in various children activities can promote fathers' awareness of their values towards children. In Indonesia, the father presence at school remains invisible compared to the mother. Further, this exploration also found that the role of educator at school became one of an important aspect to engage fathers' participation in their children education. Inviting fathers to be involved in their children education needs to be initiated from the educators and teachers at schools. It is worth considering that schools need to engage fathers' participation, either through school-based or a homebased activities. The study found that fathers with a young child in Indonesia have positive attitudes toward their children education. The domination of a female presence in a child education setting limits the father to participate in child education. Socio-culture, tradition, time limitation due to working hours, father's income, and educational background of the fathers also affect their involvement in early childhood education.