The Role of Fathers as Primary Caregivers in Children's Psychosocial Development

Authors

  • Indah Mutmainah UIN Prof. K. H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto
  • Ali Muhdi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53639/ijsse.v4i2.146

Keywords:

Father involvement, Primary caregiver, Psychosocial development, Family resilience, Child protection

Abstract

This study explores the role of fathers as primary caregivers in supporting the psychosocial development of children whose mothers migrate for work in Wanadri Village, Bawang District, Banjarnegara Regency. Using a qualitative case-study approach, data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving fathers, children, and a classroom teacher. The findings show that fathers perform caregiving through engagement, accessibility, and responsibility, including learning assistance, emotional communication, supervision, discipline, and fulfillment of daily needs. Although fathers face limited time, physical fatigue, and difficulty reading children's emotions, their consistent involvement strengthens children's self-confidence, social interaction, independence, emotional control, and responsibility. The study concludes that a supportive father can function as a protective factor for children facing family-structure changes caused by maternal labor migration.

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Published

2026-06-23

How to Cite

Mutmainah, I., & Ali Muhdi. (2026). The Role of Fathers as Primary Caregivers in Children’s Psychosocial Development. Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Science and Education (IJSSE), 4(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.53639/ijsse.v4i2.146

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Indah Mutmainah, Ali Muhdi

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