Psychosocial representations of fatherlessness in Indonesian patriarchal culture: A critical discourse analysis of online media narratives

Abstract

Background: In Indonesian patriarchal culture, fathers are traditionally positioned as economic providers, while emotional caregiving is often associated with mothers. At the same time, public discussions of fatherlessness increasingly incorporate psychosocial themes related to emotional security, identity, and family relationships. Examining media representations of fatherhood is therefore important for understanding how paternal roles are socially constructed. Methods: This study employed a qualitative approach using 18 online news articles published by Indonesian media outlets and institutional platforms between 2024 and 2025. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis and subsequently interpreted using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) based on Wodak and Meyer’s framework. The analysis focused on how media discourse constructs meanings related to fatherhood, father absence, and their perceived psychosocial implications. Findings: The analysis reveals a discursive shift from provider-centered fatherhood toward representations emphasizing emotional engagement, relational involvement, and shared parenting responsibilities. Media narratives construct fatherlessness as a psychosocial and sociocultural issue shaped by emotional absence, structural constraints, changing family dynamics, and digital spaces that influence father–child relationships. Conclusion: Indonesian online media actively shape public understandings of fatherhood and fatherlessness through psychosocial, cultural, and structural narratives. These representations reflect ongoing negotiations between patriarchal expectations and emerging relational models of fatherhood. This study focuses on media representations and does not directly examine family experiences or children’s psychosocial outcomes. Future studies may integrate media analysis with empirical family-based research. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study provides a novel understanding of how Indonesian online media construct psychosocial meanings of fatherhood and fatherlessness within a patriarchal cultural context.