INDONESIAN EXEMPLARY FATHERS MOVEMENT (GATI):
FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE
By:
Zainal Arifin1, Deasy Arisanti2
Doctoral Study Program in Development Studies
Lambung Mangkurat University
2. Graduate Program at Lambung Mangkurat University
Abstract
The phenomenon of fatherlessness or the absence of fathers in childcare is a crucial issue that has an impact on family resilience and the quality of child growth and development in Indonesia. In response to this problem, the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) launched the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) as one of the Quick Wins programs in 2025. This study aims to analyze the implementation of GATI in the perspective of family development. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data was obtained through literature studies and in-depth interviews with key informants from BKKBN and related agencies. The results of the study show that fathers' involvement in parenting is still low, both in terms of interaction, accessibility, and responsibility. The absence of fathers contributes to various psychosocial problems in children, such as mental disorders, juvenile delinquency, and risky sexual behavior. GATI exists as a community-based intervention that encourages the reconstruction of fathers' roles as caregivers, educators, and role models in the family These findings affirm the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration as part of a sustainable family development strategy.
Keywords: fatherless, fatherless involvement, family development, GATI
Abstract
The phenomenon of fatherlessness, or the absence of a father in child-rearing, is a critical issue that affects family resilience and the quality of children's development in Indonesia. In response to this issue, the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) launched the Indonesian Exemplary Father Movement (Gerakan Ayah Teladan Indonesia / GATI) as one of its 2025 Quick Wins programs. This study aims to analyze the implementation of GATI from the perspective of family development. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were obtained through literature review and in-depth interviews with key informants from BKKBN and related agencies. The findings reveal that fathers' involvement in parenting remains low, particularly in terms of interaction, accessibility, and responsibility. The absence of a father contributes to various psychosocial problems in children, such as mental health issues, juvenile delinquency, and risky sexual behavior. GATI serves as a community-based intervention that seeks to reconstruct the role of fathers as caregivers, educators, and role models within the family. These findings underscore the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration in strengthening fatherhood as a key component of sustainable family development strategies.
Keywords: fatherlessness, father involvement, family development, GATI
Introduction
Indonesia is trying to realize the characteristics of the nation's children who have a strong mentality and have quality. Therefore, it is considered urgent to make sustainable efforts by parents in order to protect, guide and nurture their children until they can be independent. This is the absolute duty of parents. Even if the parents are in a situation of separation, the father and mother must always be aware that the upkeep, education and upbringing of the child is still an obligation.
The government has anticipated this by implementing law number 1 of 1974 which regulates child maintenance and parenting. Admin (2018) states that children are a gift from God that must be nurtured and guided in the right way. Children are a continuation of a family that will later become future leaders of the nation and change civilization. Presidential Decree No. 36 of 1990 contains the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which contains what must be done and how the role of parents, families and the state in maintaining and protecting children's rights.
Family and educationare two aspects that are interconnected. A familyis asmall number of people made up of father, mother, and children. The familyis aneducational center that is managed and fosteredthrough a process that growsthrough the correct moral awareness between father, mother and children (Anizar and Ahmad, 2017). The familyispartof thesmallest socialgroup that willhave a very largeinfluence onthe growthand development resistance and characterof children (Istiyatiet al., 2020).
Tocreateconditions for childrentoexperience the right stages of growthand development, theyneed attention, love and good parenting. In the pointof view of religion, Islam for example, the maintenance and upbringingof childrenbeginsfrom an early age, giving them everything that is good, educatingthem, and keepingthemfrombad things untiltheycanliveindependently and be responsibleforthemselves (Yasin, 2018). The implementationof parentingforchildrenmustinvolve the presence of parents, fathers and mothers. It hasbecome theroleof mothersinparenting, but the role of fathers in the parenting process will be very meaningfulinthe stages of child growthand development (Anizar and Ahmad, 2017).
Families consisting of fathers and mothers have commonly needed the role of mothers in carrying out education and parenting in the home. Likewise, fathers also play a very vital role at home. Abdurrahman (2019) said that all actions displayed by a father are also in order to provide education to children. In Indonesian society which has a variety of values and cultures, the role of the father is generally considered only as a breadwinner who is responsible for the aspect of meeting the economic needs of the family, while the mother is fully responsible for activities at home and taking care of children. This family parenting paradigm model has undergone demographic, social, and cultural changes. The tendency of the world society to change into an industrial culture, the acceleration of the workforce is needed, both men and women are given economic value and are considered equal to machines. In addition, women are no longer considered unfit to work. According to Admin (2018), these cultural, social, and economic changes finally brought changes in parenting patterns.
The presence of fathers in the family is very important in determining the early stages of children's understanding of spiritual values that must be taught from childhood. This means that it is the duty of parents, especially fathers, to fulfill their responsibilities as the head of the family and as an example for their family members.
The Ministry of Population and Family Development of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) in early 2025 has launched the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) program launched by the Minister of Population and Family Development, Wihaji. GATI is one of the strategic steps to overcome social problems which are also population problems, namely the fatherless phenomenon that is now experienced by many families in Indonesia. GATI is aimed at optimizing the role of fathers in the family, so that father figures are more involved in child development, including nutrition and stunting problems (Kemendukbangga, 2025). This study aims to see and analyze the Quick Win of the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) based on the perspective of family development.
Method
Research Design
This researchusesa qualitativeapproachwitha descriptive-analytical design. This was chosenbecause the purpose of the researchistoobtainan understanding and description of the phenomenon of the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) inthe context offamily development. The focus ofthisresearchistofind outthe meaning, perception, and experience related to theimplementation and effectsof the GATI program socialized by the Ministry of Population and Development Family (Kemendukbangga / BKKBN).
Data Source
There are 2 types of data in this study, namely:
Secondary Data
Secondary data were obtained by reading the literature on the role of fathers in the family and family development; BKKBN's official report on the GAT program; government policy documents on family development and the role of fathers in family resilience; and statistical data and evaluation reports on the implementation of the GATI program.
Primary Data
Primary data was obtained through in-depth interviews with resource persons from the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning of Tanah Bumbu Regency and resource persons from the South Kalimantan BKKBN who were involved in the planning and implementation of GATI.
Data Collection Techniques
1. Literature Search
References from scientific journals, books, official reports, and government policies related to the research subject were examined. The literature used was selected based on its credibility and relevance to the research focus.
2. In-Depth Interviews
Semi-structured interview guidelines are used to conduct in-depth interviews. This method allows for a flexible exploration from the perspective of experience, and informant views regarding the implementation and impact of the GATI program. Interviews were conducted, the results of which were recorded, then transcribed for further analysis at the next stage.
Data Analysis Techniques
The data that has been collected is analyzed using a thematic analysis approach which includes the following stages:
Data Collection
Primary and secondary data are collected and organizedtofacilitate the next stage of analysis
Data Reduction
The data that has been collected is sorted to determine which ones are relevant to the research. As for those that are irrelevant, they are set aside.
Data Interpretation
The next step is to intercept the data that has been reduced to help explain
Data Triangulation
In order to determine the validity and reliability, and consistency of research findings, data and source tracing techniques are used. The data that has been obtained from the interview results is compared with data from document searches and literature. To increase the validity and credibility of the research results, the researcher uses the triangulation technique of sources and methods.
Results and Discussion
The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) has changed to the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga)/BKKBN. This ministry is a new ministry that has duties in the field of population and family development.
In 2025, the Ministry of Defense has launched the Quick Wins of the National Movement, namely the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI). This movement is a movement initiated by the Ministry of Defense to optimize the role of fathers. This movement responds to a problem that is rampant, namely the phenomenon of fatherlessness.
Fatherless is a situation where the father is not present in the child's life, when the child needs the role of the father in the parenting process in terms of physical or psychological or psychological matters. Fatherlessness is a complicated problem because it requires the presence and warmth of both parents. In fact, many families do not care about this problem (Hidayah et al., 2023). The existence of divorce, problems in the household can cause the absence of a father figure can cause a fatherless family The absence of the father's role results in the absence of figures and figures who provide examples that will influence children. This can also be caused by obstacles in communication between children and fathers which will lead to fatherlessness.
Quick Winscan beinterpretedasabreakthroughoraninitiative that is consideredtoaccelerate the achievement ofa program inthe short term (for example, oneyear). Quick Winsis aform of bureaucratic reform that is mainlyrelated topublic services. In orderto obtain a positive initial momentum andtoget broad support in thecommunity, quick wins (Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Development, 2021) is needed.
Quick Wins The Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) initiated by the Ministry of Population and Family Development in 2025, is one ofthe five quick wins programs of the Ministry of Proud Motherhood. The five quickwins programs are the Indonesian Exemplary Father Movement (GATI), the Foster Parents Movement to Prevent Stunting (Genting), Taman Asuh Sayang Anak (Tamasya), Empowered Elderly (Sidaya), and AI – SuperAppsKeluarga Indonesia.
The Ministry of Population and Family Development mentionedtheimportanceof fatherless involvement. The involvement in questionemphasizestheimportance of the quantity and qualityaspectsof fathers' participation inraisingtheir children (KemendukBangga 202:5).
There is a theory by Lamb (Lamb et al., 1985) which discusses the components of paternal involvement in the parenting stage, namely first, paternal engagement which is manifested through direct interaction between father and child which is seen in playing, reading, exercising, and doing other parenting activities, such as bathing, feeding, changing clothes, and others. psychological, both directly and indirectly, the three Responsibilities, which are manifested in the fulfillment of the father's parenting responsibilities to the child can be demonstrated by making decisions about how to care for the children and fulfill other responsibilities, such as paying for school and their financial needs.
The involvement of fathers in family care is very important in preventing the occurrence of fatherlessness. Kemendukbangga (2025) mentions important statistical data related to this fatherless phenomenon. Unicef states that 20.9% of children in Indonesia experience the loss of their father's role due to divorce, death or job demands that require fathers to be away from the family (Unicef, 2021). The Central Statistics Agency (2021) recorded that only 37.17% of children were cared for by their biological parents at the same time, which means that more than 60% of the other children were not co-cared for by their biological parents. The Indonesian National Addolescent Mental Health Survey (2022) released that 33% of Indonesian adolescents experience mental health problems. Of those, only 4.3 percent of parents detected that their child needed help. The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (2023) states that only 20.9% of fathers are directly involved in childcare.
Children who experiencefatherlessnesswillexperiencemanyproblemsintheir lives. These children willexperienceacademicproblems, depression, anxiety disorders and self-confidence. These children are also at risk of being involvedinaggressiveness problems, juvenile delinquency, and drug problems (Wae and Chandra, 2024). In children, fatherlessness willincrease the likelihoodof risky sexual behavior and therefore be vulnerable to pregnancy outside of marriage (Alleyne Green et al., 2016). These childrenwillexperiencea sexualidentitycrisisorbecomeesbian, gay orttransgender (Syawitri, 2023).
One of the five strategic Quick Wins programs designed to deal with the phenomenon of fatherlessness is the Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI), which will be launched by the Ministry of Population and Family Development (Kemendukbangga) in 2025. This program is based on awareness of the importance of active and qualified fatherhood in the process of raising children physically, psychologically, and socially.
The results of interviews with resource persons from the Women's Empowerment Office of Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning of Tanah Bumbu Regency confirmed that fathers' involvement consists of three main components: "direct interaction such as playing or feeding children, the physical and psychological presence of the father, and responsibility in decision-making and meeting the needs of the child." This statement supports the theory of Lamb et al (1985) and shows that the idea of paternal involvement promoted by GATI is in line with these three dimensions.
Empirical facts gathered frominterviews and literature sourcesshowthat Indonesia faces the problem ofa shortage of fathers. UNICEF (2021) reportsthat 20.9% of children in Indonesia do nothave their father due todivorce, death, orjob loss. According to BPS (2021), only 37.17% of childrenare cared for by both biological parents. In another interview, a resource personfromthe South BKKBN Kalimantan also statedthat "something is wrong", referring to the symptoms of weak fighting power in children who grow upwithoutthe presence of father. In addition, thechild's psychosocial problemsare also related to the absence of the father. Children are proneto mental and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, depression, and involvement in risky behaviorssuch asdrug use and promiscuous sex (Wae & Chandra, 2024; Alleyne-Green, 2016). A resource person from the South Kalimantan Provincial BKKBN also stated the lack of role of fathers in raising children: "Mostof the children in correctional institutionsare notraised by father, but by a grandmotherorsingle mother Most of themdo nothave a father figure intheir lives"This phraseemphasizesthatThe child's future and the quality ofparentingare significantly affected by the father's absence.
In addition to the psychological effects, father's absence is linked to long-term socio-economic problems. According to research conducted by McLanahan and Sandefur (1994), children raised without a father have a greater risk of poverty, lower incomes in adulthood, and higher dropout rates. Susenas data (BPS, 2022) shows that the average per capita expenditure of households with a single head of family (mother) in Indonesia is 23% higher than that of a complete household. This is exacerbated by the lack of parental participation in parenting. According to the Ministry of PPPA's Puskapa (2023), only 34% of fathers in Indonesia are actively involved in childcare, including education and health. This phenomenon shows that the absence of the father inhibits the growth of national and individual human beings.
Torespond to these findings, policy interventionsmust bemadecomprehensivelytoaddressthe underlyingproblem of paternal absence.According toresearch conducted by Carlson and Magnuson (2011), programs that enhance the role of fathers, such asjob support and parenting skills training, canreduce the negative impact they have on Children Cross-sectoral collaboration, for examplewith the Ministry of Agriculturetoguarantee parental leave rights orwiththe Ministry of Education and Culturetodevelopfamily education modules, canexpand the Father's Movement Examples of BKKBN in Indonesia (BKKBN, 2023). Brazilhas a successful "Active Father" program (Featherstone et al., 2020), which showsthat community-based methods canincrease paternity participation by up to 40% within five years. Therefore, tocreatesustainable change, the revitalization of the Exemplary Fathers Movement mustincludestructural (policy) and cultural (public education) elements.
The Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) is a strategic effort to increase fathers' participation in home life and childcare. This movement is also social and collaborative, involving educational institutions, religious organizations, and community leaders. According to a resource person from BKKBN, accelerating the implementation of GATI in the regions can be done through the formation of a father's community. Several areas in South Kalimantan Province have been selected as pilot projects because they have strong local personalities. This approach is in line with the principle of community-based intervention that prioritizes cross-sectoral synergy in family development.
More than just an internal family movement, GATI is also directed to encourage the transformation of parenting values to the institutional level. This is reflected in the involvement of madrassas and community organizations such as Muhammadiyah in the socialization process. This effort is very relevant because in Indonesian culture, the father figure is still often constructed as a breadwinner. Therefore, a broader social reconstruction is needed to reaffirm the role of fathers as role models, both in the domestic sphere and in social life.
The involvement of fathers inparentingis notjust afamily problem, butpartof a social development strategy that has an impact on the qualityofhuman resources and the resilience of the country. A strong family and an active father figure willhelpachieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially thethird goal (health and well-being), the fourth (Peducationbquality), and 16th (ppeace, justice, and stronginstitutions).
Conclusion
The Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) is one of the five quick wins programs of the Ministry of Population and Family Development that have just been launched. This movement is a breakthrough to optimize the role of fathers in raising children in the family. One of the main goals of this movement is the existence of the phenomenon of fatherlessness in Indonesia. Fatherlessness is a condition of the absence of the father in the process or period of parenting that can cause adverse effects on children in the form of decreased learning achievement, disturbances in emotional regulation, promiscuous sexual behavior, and drug abuse.
The study shows that the Ministry of Population and Family Development developed a strategic initiative known as GATI to address major problems in family development, especially those related to the phenomenon of fatherlessness. In Indonesia, the involvement of fathers in childcare is still low, both quantitatively and qualitatively. This has a direct impact on the child's psychosocial development and family resilience.
The Indonesian Exemplary Fathers Movement (GATI) seeks to encourage the transformation of the role of fathers from mere breadwinners to caregivers, educators, and role models in the household through a father involvement approach that includes the dimensions of interaction, accessibility, and responsibility. Thus, GATI is not just a social movement; It is also an important part of building a strong and sustainable family. The results of interviews with the BKKBN office and representatives showed that the implementation of GATI was accelerated through the formation of a father's community, the involvement of community leaders, and the application of parenting values in educational institutions.
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