Early Childhood Parenting Practices in Indonesia

Abstract:Parenting practices play an important role in early childhood development. Some literature and ethnographic studies suggest that collectivism, as part of local culture, is crucial in determining parenting practices in Indonesia. However, an inter-cultural study shows that parents' socioeconomic status has a stronger effect on the matter. The present study aims to examine the determinants of parenting practices in Indonesia, using data from the 2018 Population, Family Planning and Family Development Program Performance and Accountability Survey, a nation-wide survey conducted by the Indonesia National Population and Family Planning Board, with samples of 19,568 mothers of reproductive age who have children under 6 years of age. Parenting practices are measured using 17 items, covering both physical and psychosocial stimulation. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of early childhood parenting practices. The findings highlight that early childhood parenting practices are strongly associated with both cultural values and household wealth status. This study underscores the emergence of emotional/psychological interdependence values in Indonesia, characterised by high family integrity, and encouragement to a child's autonomy and achievement. Our model proposes a family's economic development and a maximum of two parity, which is important for Indonesian early childhood parenting practices.