Harganas, IPB University Lecturer Reminds Us That the Family Is the First Line of Defense Against Social Challenges
Amid increasingly complex social challenges, National Family Day (Harganas) serves as a reminder of the importance of strengthening family resilience and protection. The family is not only a place of growth but also the first line of defense in protecting each of its members from various forms of violence and crime.
Rahmi Damayanti, SSi, MSi, a lecturer in the Family and Consumer Sciences Program at IPB University, stated that the family must be a safe haven the safest and most trusted place for every family member.
“Warm, accepting, and open relationships encourage family members to feel safe sharing their experiences, concerns, or situations they find suspicious, even when facing threats,” she said.
The family, she continued, also plays a crucial role in developing an individual’s ability to make well-considered decisions. Parenting is not only aimed at raising individuals who obey rules but also at equipping them with the ability to evaluate, recognize both positive and negative influences, and wisely choose their social circles and friendships.
“The ability to select and build relationships with people who are socially and emotionally healthy is a vital life skill for protecting individuals from various forms of manipulation, exploitation, and crime,” she explained.
In terms of character development, Rahmi Damayanti, SSi, MSi added that families also play a role in instilling character traits and humanistic values, such as empathy, respect for human dignity, the ability to control emotions, and healthy conflict resolution. These values need to be cultivated from an early age through setting a good example and positive interactions in daily family life.
“This can serve as a protective factor to prevent the development of aggressive or manipulative behavior, as well as various forms of violence against others,” she added.
The importance of strengthening family functions is increasingly evident from the various cases of violence and crime occurring in society, including the recent case of confinement. Rahmi Damayanti, SSi, MSi expressed deep concern over the suffering endured by the victim and their family. According to her, the experience of being held captive for an extended period can result in physical, psychological, and social impacts, as well as prolonged trauma.
“From a family studies perspective, this case highlights the growing importance of strengthening family functions as the first and primary environment for character development, protection, and the psychological well being of family members,” she said.
Therefore, she considers the Family Friendly Village concept developed by Prof Euis Sunarti, Professor of Family Resilience at IPB University, to be a relevant social innovation. This concept fosters a culture of mutual understanding and care, as well as mechanisms for early detection and response to various family issues.
“From the perspective of family ecology theory, individual protection is also influenced by the quality of the social environment. Therefore, families need the support of a community that is caring and responsive to the various issues occurring around them,” she said.
According to her, cases such as confinement, neglect, and other forms of crime often persist for a long time due to a lack of concern and social connectedness within the surrounding community.
“Therefore, in addition to strengthening the quality of parenting and family resilience, it is necessary to build a family-friendly environment so that family protection becomes a shared responsibility among families, the community, and various social institutions,” she emphasized. (dh) (IAAS/HLF).
