Psychological Impacts on Interfaith Families in Palangkaraya in Educating Their Children

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of this study is to discuss and to explore psychological impacts on interfaith families in educating their children. Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative field research that involved 10 study subjects having inclusive criteria to be studied using a snowball sampling technique. The methods of data collection used in this study include observation, documentation, and in-depth interview with a number of informants and subjects. The data analysis was done simultaneously from the beginning of conducting the research to the process of writing conclusions. Results: The findings show that interfaith families generally live peacefully and harmoniously although they still feel psychological ripples within their heart. But this does not lead to conflicts, except for subjects’ number 10 who decided to divorce. Interfaith marriage causes some psychological impacts on families. The children experience doubts about their religion. On one side, they want to possess the religion that one of their parents have, but, on the other hand, they often have to follow a certain belief due to their parents’ agreement. Parents also suffer from psychological stress, both major and minor stress, because of the couples’ different religion. Some of them lose their responsibility as a father or as the main teacher for their children, and it happens especially in the process of adhering their children’s belief or faith. Conclusion: It has been found that two families are willing to make an agreement to decide their children’s religion for the sake of eternal enlightenment of their household hereafter. © 2018 Hamdanah.