Bertahan Sebagai Istri Narapidana Di Tanah Minang Rasionalitas dan Tradisionalisme Istri Narapidana di Kabupaten Tanah Datar Sumatera Barat

Abstract

This paper discusses about women as wives of convicted criminals in Batusangkar, West Sumatra. This study concentrates on the reasons of their attitudes to stay at becoming wives of these convicted criminals. This study is an empirical research by utilizing the theory of social action of Max Weber. This article argues that the wives of convicted criminals have chosen to keep their household as a fruit of both traditional and rational action choices. The wife loyalty and the stigmatization of widow status are among traditional values which give strong influence to them. At the same time, some consider their age, their nuclear family and financial needs as rational reasons behind their choice.