The Emerging of a Nouvelle Culture and Gender Equality among Javanese Women who Married to French Locals Related to Javanese Values Masak

Abstract

The phenomenon of intercultural marriages reflects modern trends in promoting gender equality. In Indonesia, there has been a noticeable uptick in mixed marriages, notably among Javanese women marrying French nationals and relocating to France. Traditionally, Javanese culture confined women within the realms of Masak (cooking) values, adhering to patriarchal system. This study delves into how Javanese women in France, married to French locals, navigate the fusion of Javanese and French cultures amidst the principles of Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité (freedom, equality, fraternity), while striving for gender equality, particularly regarding Masak values. Employing a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews using snowball sampling with 11 Javanese married women who migrated to France. The findings unveiled a notable departure from traditional Javanese norms: these women hold positions of equality with their husbands, contrary to cultural expectations. Furthermore, the study underscored the necessity for adaptation, negotiation, integration, and the forging of new cultural identities to foster marital harmony in France. Successful cultural integration of Javanese Masak values hinges on the inclusive and open-minded attitudes of both Javanese women and French nationals towards cultural diversity.