Women's Family Resilience after Contract Marriage in the Puncak Area

Abstract

The phenomenon of contract marriages between local women and foreign men in the Puncak area is a clear manifestation of power inequality, lack of legal protection, and the fragility of the social system, one of which raises the phenomenon of fatherlessness. This study aims to analyze the practice of contract marriage in Tugu Utara Village and its impact on family resilience and the status of fatherless children in the context of cross-citizenship relationships that are not officially recorded. A qualitative approach with a case study method is used to capture the complexity of social dynamics, with data collection through in-depth interviews and literature study. Field findings show that this practice creates a fragile family resilience structure, with delegative parenting, closed communication, and no recovery mechanism. Meanwhile, Foucault's power relations theory reveals that economic and symbolic domination on the part of foreign men runs through social normalization and informal community control. Children from such relationships also face civil exclusion as they do not have a state-recognized legal status. This research confirms that the practice of contract marriage is a form of pseudo-marriage that results in social and administrative exclusion, and reflects the failure of the state to protect its citizens. Therefore, it is necessary to take an intersectional approach in formulating family protection that includes legal, social and gender aspects, so that it can be stopped systemically and sustainably.