Communication Practices of Single Mothers in Carrying Out Their Dual Roles

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the communication practices of single mothers in carrying out their dual roles. This research approach is a critical qualitative case study method. The research data were collected through in-depth interviews with a number of informants and participatory observation. The research results show that there are five interaction arenas of single mothers in carrying out their dual roles, i.e. with their household, fellow single mothers, women, men, and with the environment / community. Communication practices that they are carrying out are interpersonal, avoiding conflict when interacting with men, and messages that tend to be emphatic when interacting with the community. Therefore, communicating their dual roles is a necessity because single mothers are frequently confused when they have to choose between housewife and modest public / productive role or they try to balance both roles if they have a larger productive role.