Macho and Patriarchal Domination in Student Perception
Harmona Daulay and T. Ilham Saladin
Department of Sociology, Jalan Dr. A.Sofyan No. 1 Kampus Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Keyword: Macho, patriarchal system, metrosexual.
Abstract: The aim of the study to look at the issue of masculinity as an interesting study because it is related to the issue
of femininity. This issue also have given a lot of analysis in the theoretical and practical debate of gender
issues. Men are constructed in macho concepts that become the values and norms in the patriarchal system.
While in actual development appears various phenomena of the construction of a new man with metrosexual
appearance. This study concern how the existence of macho man in the phenomenon of male masculinity
metrosexual who became the trend of urban men since the early 2000s. This research method using
quantitative method with the number of respondents 50 people. Research location in Padangsidimpuan city.
The consideration of research location because people who live in Padangsidempuan was Mandailing tribe
and it has patriarchal construction which is relatively strong enough in seeing relation of man and woman.
The data were collected by using questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively. The results show that the
dominance of macho construction was still the dominance of perception of respondents. Some basic things
such as the requirements of men in biological, psychological, and physiological indeed become the basis in
social construction and relationships with women. Interestingly there are also controversies related to
conflicting patriarchal constructions such as male construction not necessarily as breadwinners, men may be
dressed up, and men may be egalitarian with women. There is an intersection phenomenon in the construction
of men in a growing patriarchal system.
1 INTRODUCTION
Male macho is a representation of men who appeared
in decades of development dynamics of masculinity
until the 2000s. In that era macho representation
emerged from the films are very nuanced macho guy
like the movie character Rambo with Silvester Stalon
actor, Arnold Swanezger, Jean Claude Van Dam and
so on. Macho reprentation films are also seen on films
like James Bond with different actors on some James
Bond movies.
The concept of macho man is also inseparable
from the existence of a particular society culture.
Culture is basically a starting point in shaping the
value entity of society, including the macho concept
for men. Indonesia has diverse cultures which will
have many definitions about the concept of a
developing macho man. The concept develops
according to social changes that occur in certain
communities. The results of the current study indicate
that there is a link between the validity of macho
macho patriarchy with transition process to
metrosexual man (Guzetti, 2018). Some of the macho
male concept that developed in the community is
always identified with muscle race. Those who have
a muscular and muscular body are considered to be
very macho. Coupled with the concept of patriarchy
in society increasingly makes that macho man is
always associated with male domination of women.
On the other hand, men are said to be macho when
dedicating life to writing. Writing also becomes part
of the macho concept for certain men. It can be an
identity for a man who can support his macho
concept. In addition, forming a community then
gaining the social identity of the community is part of
the macho man concept. Such perceptions can also
form an act toward violence against a person (Baird,
2012).
In today's technological age, the concept of
patriarchy remains well preserved in certain societies.
Some research results indicate that the local concept
of patriarchy can give color to the existence of macho
man concept. Family is a place where patriarchy can
be continued or not. Understanding that men always
dominate women become markers of macho men. It
relates to the macho concept that it is capable of
Daulay, H. and Saladin, T.
Macho and Patriarchal Domination in Student Perception.
DOI: 10.5220/0010089015611565
In Proceedings of the International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramification Researches (ICOSTEERR 2018) - Research in Industry 4.0, pages
1561-1565
ISBN: 978-989-758-449-7
Copyright
c
2020 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
1561
dominating or dominating certain small groups. From
the results of other studies, that between women and
men have different life goals when in one place work.
The orientation of men to work is to receive high
salary pay, salary value, materials, job satisfaction.
While women are more oriented towards negotiation
and cooperation, value of quality of life, and less
work time (Ganesh, 2014)
2 RESEARCH METHODS
Some literature uses a diverse approach when looking
to measure the concept of male macho or the concept
of metrosexual men descriptively. The study was
dominated by finding a causal relationship to explain
the dominance of the two concepts. This research uses
a quantitative approach with descriptive method in
explaining the phenomenon of macho concept
domination. Data collection using survey method to
each respondent. The survey method is used quite
effectively to explore the concept of macho man in
Padangsidempuan society. In addition, observation
becomes an option to reinforce the quantitative data
gained.
2.1 Sample
The data used in this research use direct field data.
Samples were taken from two universities in
Padangsidempuan namely IAIN Padangsidempuan
and Universitas Graha Nusantara. Total samples
taken by 50 respondents from both universities. There
are several criteria arranged to limit the samples
taken. The criteria are like student of class of 2014
down and arranged based on existing faculty prosi.
3 RESEARCH RESULTS
3.1 Overview of Respondents
Respondents in this study were student groups from
IAIN Padangsidempuan and Universitas Graha
Nusantara. They were made respondents starting
from the generation of 2014 or have undergone at
least 4 semesters of lectures. Here is a description of
the characteristics of respondents,
Table 1: Age Of Respondent
A
g
e Frequenc
y
Pe
r
cen
t
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
28
29
Total
11 21.6
16 31.4
10 19.6
59.8
59.8
12.0
12.0
12.0
12.0
51 100.0
From the table above shows that the age of
respondents who dominate in this study is 21 years,
then followed by the age of 20 and 22 years. In this
study there are also 29-year-old students with 1
person. At the age of 20, 21, and 22 years is the age
limit set in this study and become the most age to be
respondents.
Table 2: Year of Study Respondent
Year of Study Frequenc
y
Percent
2012
2013
2014
Total
35.9
47.8
44 86.3
51 100.0
From the table visible force 2014 to force that
dominates the respondents in this study. Force long
enough seen in the table that force 2012 which
amounted to 3 people only.
Table 3. Program of Respondent
Program Frequency Perc
en
t
A
g
roteknolo
g
i2 3.9
Akroteknolo
g
i2 3.9
Bimbingan
Konselin
Islam
3 5.9
Ekonomi S
y
ariah 5 9.8
FISIP 7 13.7
Hukum Ekonomi
S
y
ariah
2 3.9
Hukum Tata
N
e
g
ara
4 7.8
Ilmu Pemerintahan 1 2.0
Komunikasi
Pen
y
iaran Islam
1 2.0
Mana
j
emen 8 15.7
PAI 5 9.8
ICOSTEERR 2018 - International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramification Researches
1562
Pengembangan
Ms
y
arakat Islam
2 3.9
Perbankan S
y
ariah 2 3.9
Pertanian 1 2.0
Peternakan 1 2.0
PGMI 1 2.0
Teknik Sipil 4 7.8
Total 51 100.
0
The department that became the most choice in this
research is the management department with the
number of respondents as many as 8 people, then
followed by the departments in the Faculty of Social
and Political Sciences. Both of these majors come
from Graha Nusantara University. Some majors in
IAIN Padangsidempuan spread evenly with the
number of respondents fairly evenly.
Table 4. Income of Respondent
Income Frequenc
y
Percent
100000 1 2.0
400000 3 5.9
500000 9 17.6
600000 7 13.7
700000 1 2.0
800000 6 11.8
100000
0
9 17.6
120000
0
2 3.9
140000
0
1 2.0
150000
0
1 2.0
300000
0
1 2.0
Total 41 80.4
Missi
n
g
System 10 19.6
Total 51 100.0
From the table above shows that the income or
income of each respondent starts from IDR 100,000,
- up to IDR 3,000,000, -. However, the average
student has income or income of IDR 500,000, - up to
IDR 700,000, - The amount is only for the money
"grip" and not for use to buy food everyday. The
income here is an allowance given by parents and not
necessarily from own income. From the table also
seen there is a missing value of 10 people. That is,
there are 10 respondents who do not fill the amount
of income owned. The amount can be ignored by
taking the average value of the income / income
money owned.
Table 5. Cost of Respondent
Pen
g
eluaran Frekuensi Persen
300000 4 7.8
400000 3 5.9
500000 7 13.7
600000 6 11.8
700000 7 13.7
800000 4 7.8
900000 1 2.0
950000 2 3.9
100000
0
3 5.9
120000
0
3 5.9
150000
0
1 2.0
Total 41 80.4
Missi
n
g
System 10 19.6
Total 51 100.0
Similarly with the table above that there is a missing
value of 10 which means there are 10 people who do
not give an answer to this question. This can be
ignored because it does not significantly affect the
validity of the data. Average of respondent's expense
is IDR 500.000, - and IDR 800.000, -. The
expenditure is mostly used for daily expenses beyond
the cost of daily meals.
Table 6. Parent Occupation
Occupation Frequen
cy
Perce
nt
Bengkel 1 2.0
Kades 1 2.0
Karyawan PTPN V 1 2.0
Pensiunan Karyawan 1 2.0
Petani 18 35.3
Petani Karet 1 2.0
Petani Padi 1 2.0
PNS 6 11.8
PNS Non Guru 1 2.0
TNI-AD 1 2.0
Wiraswasta 19 37.3
Total 51 100.0
Macho and Patriarchal Domination in Student Perception
1563
From the table above also shows that various types of
work of each student who selected to be respondents.
Of the several types of work available above, farmers
become the majority work of the respondents' parents.
Based on the observation result, Padangsidempuan
area is dominated by plantation sector (Sawit, rubber,
and salak) and agriculture (rice, corn, and
vegetables). The next work was followed by Civil
Servant as many as 6 people, fewer than the work as
farmers, amounted to 18 people. After several
descriptive tables above, the following is a
descriptive table of the data categorization of each
inductor masculinity.
Table 7. Descriptive Test
Indicator
Masculin
ity
Option Me
an
Std.
Deviat
ion
3 2 1
Biology
Construc
tion
11
21.6
%
26
51%
14
27.5
%
2.0
6
0.705
Physicol
ogy
Construc
tion
5
9.8
%
41
80.4
%
5
9.8
%
2.0
0
0.447
Sosializa
tion
Construc
tion
9
17.6
%
36
70.6
%
6
11.8
%
1.9
4
0.544
Macho
Concept
10
19.6
%
33
64.7
%
8
15.7
%
1.9
6
0.599
The table above illustrates the description of all
respondents' answers to the four variables of
masculinity. From the above variables, students tend
to choose medium answers. That is, students'
knowledge about masculinity is moderate.
Respondents did not show either too high or too low
knowledge of masculinity knowledge. Only the
biological construction and macho man concept give
a high enough answer to the perception of masculinity
knowledge of the respondents.
Table 8. T-test Sample
Variabel Nilai F
Sig (2-
tailed)
Biolo
gy
Construction
0.630 0.431
Physicology
Construction
0.124 0.726
Sosialization
Construction
0.798 0.376
Macho Concep
t
0.028 0.867
The table above shows statistical calculations with
different tests on each indicator related to the concept
of masculinity. The four indicators above are based
on several questions related to each indicator. Of the
four indicators tested the average sample, there is no
difference that is so significant. Of all the values of F
that exist in the table, still smaller than the value of F
table. Then from the existing significance value, the
overall significance value is greater than 0.05,
meaning that there is no difference in the average of
each indicator above against both universities.
4 CONCLUSIONS
The existence of macho man concept in local society
has its own characteristics. The patriarchy adopted
does not entirely lead to male domination of women.
The concept of growing macho man can be
distinguished in two categories of physical and non
physical. Physically, men are said to be macho when
they have an athletic body with a strong endurance
than women. Non-physically, men are said to be
macho when men want to earn a living for families,
respect for women, hard-working types, and love the
world of sports or automotive.
These indicators can appear related to the
existence of religious teachings. The
Padangsidempuan community is also labeled with a
very religious society (especially Islamic religion). In
the family of children will be taught religious
sciences as stock in life. There are some religious
values that are taught to children and affect the macho
man concept, such as respecting women, being
responsible for everything, and so on. From the
results of the different test above shows that there is
no significant difference in mean samples. That is, all
student perceptions about the four indicators of
ICOSTEERR 2018 - International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramification Researches
1564
research (biological, psychological, social, and
macho concepts) have a common opinion.
The initial assumption of the study is that there is a
significant difference between religious-based
universities and non-religious universities. From the
results of participatory observation and interviews
with some informants, the majority of
Padangsidempuan community is Islamic. Islamic
religion has long been present in the life of
Padangsidempuan community. Their in-group
attitude towards religion is also quite large and
ignores the assumptions of this research.
From the concept of biology itself, 90% of
students give an opinion that men are very dominant.
The biological concept itself relates to the physical
and mental power. Students assume that physical
strength to be characteristic of strong macho and
mental men also become a supporting factor. Only
10% of students think that women also have a strong
potential physically stronger than men. From a
psychological concept, there is male dominance over
women as men are braver than women, stronger and
stronger than women. However, students argue that
women are more angry than men.
From the concept of socialization, 85% of
respondents' answers remain dominated by the
presence of men. It can be raised as the assumption of
earning a living must be done by men, must be a
family economic support, and able to make their own
decisions expressly. This is derived from the
socialization process of the family. In other research
results indicate that, how structured organizations
(such as the university world) can provide a gender
understanding to students and technical students
(Salle, 2014). In fact, in the domestic work the
position of women is more dominant. From the
macho man's own concept, students have almost the
same answers. Of the values taught by the family,
men must be adventurous, be a winner, be successful,
love sports, but not necessarily close to alcohol. In
general, macho men will tend to be close to cigarettes
and alcohol.
It is also reinforced from other research results
that in the 1990s there has been a transition process
from masculinity to metrosexual. Young people are
very happy with style-related lifestyles (such as being
a gym member, skn and hair products and treatment,
etc.). Such activities they do with their small salaries
(Buchbinder, 2014). The concept of metrosexual
becomes new for the student community in
Padangsidempuan. Almost 90% of students do not
understand the metrosexual definition. Students are
more likely to define metrosexuals as men who have
sexual disorientation (gay). The facts on the ground
that the students have done what became the image of
metrosexual men. It's just that students do not
understand theoretically and are just imitated from
social media. These things can be known as a haircut
that is stylish, like wearing perfume, clothes look very
neat and like to use and collect branded goods. The
existence of barber shop, perfume seller, the
existence of cafe and others is one form of urban
support to transition into metrosexual men.
REFERENCES
Baird, Adam. 2012. The Violent Gang and The
Construction of Masculinity amongst socially
Eexcluded Young Man. Vol 11, No. 4. pp 179-190
Buchbinder, David. 2014. Deciphering Men: Reading
The Masculine In Modern Family. Qualitative
Research Journal. Vol 14 No. 1, pp 16-27
Daulay, Harmona, 2013, Konstruksi Maskulinitas
Global pada Majalah Pria di Indonesia dalam
Persepsi Pria Metroseksual, Penelitian Hibah
Dikti, Tidak diterbitkan.
Ford, Michele dan Lenore Lyons, (editor).,2012 ,
Men and Masculinities in South Asia, New York,
Routledge.
Ganesh, Sarlaksha and Ganesh, Mangadu
Paramasivam. 2014. Effect of Masculinity-
Feminity on Quality of Work Life:
Understanding The Moderating Roles of Gender
and Social Support. Gender In
Management: An International Journal. Vol 29
No. 4, pp 229-253
Guzetti, Barbara and, Fole, Leslie. 2018. Rad Dad: A
Chicano Man(Re) Constructing
Masculinity and Fatherhood Through Zines.
Literacy Research, Practice, and
Evaluation. Vol. 8, pp 89-114
Salle, Margaret. W. 2014. Performing Masculinity:
Considering Gender in Doctoral Student
Socialization. Vol. 5 No. 2, pp 99-122
Wibowo, Agung.,2013Pemaknaan Maskulinitas
(Kajian Sosiologis Tentang Pemaknaan
Maskulinitas Laki-Laki Di Kota Surakarta), Tesis
Jurusan Sosiologi, UGM.
Macho and Patriarchal Domination in Student Perception
1565