In the rapidly advancing era of globalization, changes in family structure have become an inevitable phenomenon. One of the emerging and increasingly notable family forms is the atomistic family. An atomistic family is a type of family in which the husband and wife do not live together after marriage. While this concept might seem unfamiliar to many, the reality is that many couples must navigate married life this way, especially in certain regions of Indonesia, such as East Java.
Challenges of Atomistic Families
In this study, researchers explored how interactions occur and what efforts are made by working husbands or wives to maintain their marital life within the context of an atomistic family. Through qualitative methods involving interviews with 57 families or couples who do not live together in East Java, Indonesia, this study provides deep insights into the dynamics of atomistic families.
One of the key findings is that husbands or wives who work in the public sector often have to live separately from their spouses due to job demands. This situation is experienced not only by couples without children but also by those with children, where family members must live apart. In many cases, children are often cared for by their grandparents because both the father and mother work outside the city. This phenomenon indicates that the traditional family structure, where everyone lives under one roof, is shifting towards a more flexible, yet more challenging, arrangement.
Efforts to Maintain Harmony
Despite the physical distance, many couples living in atomistic families undertake various efforts to maintain the continuity of their household. The study identified several key strategies used by these couples to sustain family harmony:
- Trust: Trust between husband and wife is crucial in an atomistic family. When couples cannot always be together, they must trust each other to manage their daily lives responsibly.
- Face-to-Face Meetings: Although infrequent, face-to-face meetings are still considered essential in maintaining relationships. Some couples might only be able to meet once a week, once a month, or even once every six months. However, whenever these meetings occur, the moments are maximized to strengthen family bonds.
- Digital Communication: In addition to direct meetings, communication through phone calls and social networking sites serves as the main way to stay connected. In this digital age, technology plays a vital role in keeping communication alive between family members separated by distance.
While the frequency of face-to-face meetings is limited, the importance of regular communication through various digital media cannot be underestimated. With technological advancements, couples can still feel close despite being physically far apart.
Impact and Potential of Atomistic Families
Despite the many challenges, the study also found that atomistic families have the potential to cope with conflicts and may even strengthen marital relationships. Families accustomed to this situation tend to be more independent and capable of managing their lives in a more mature way. The latent function of atomistic families is their ability to enhance communication and problem-solving skills, which ultimately can strengthen the bonds between husband, wife, and their children.
Conclusion
This study concludes that atomistic families, although seemingly full of challenges, have their own mechanisms for survival and growth. Trust, effective communication, and periodic face-to-face meetings are key to maintaining harmony in this type of family. In the context of globalization and rapid social change, the ability to adapt to unconventional family situations becomes crucial. Atomistic families, with all their challenges, demonstrate that love and commitment know no geographical boundaries, and with the right efforts, family relationships can remain strong despite being separated by distance.
Link Journal : https://scholar.unair.ac.id/en/publications/familial-relationships-and-efforts-in-retention-of-marriage-among