Reproductive Control And Female Subordination In Batak Culture: A Muted Group Theory Analysis Of “Catatan Harian Menantu Sinting”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18326/inject.v10i1.4419Keywords:
Womens’s Subordination, Patriarchal System, Muted Group Theory, Roland Barthes' SemioticsAbstract
This study aims to analyze the patriarchal system and the subordination of women within Batak culture as depicted in the film Catatan Harian Menantu Sinting. The research focuses on how cultural control over women’s bodies and reproductive expectations is reflected in the social structure and family relationships. A qualitative approach was used, employing Roland Barthes’ semiotic analysis to identify cultural symbols and myths that reinforce patriarchal norms. In addition, Muted Group Theory was applied to understand the silencing of women’s voices within the patriarchal system. The findings reveal that the film represents women’s subordination through reproductive pressure, where women are expected to bear male children to continue the family lineage. This norm not only restricts women's autonomy in making life choices but also reinforces gender inequality that disempowers women across social, cultural, and psychological dimensions. The study affirms that patriarchal culture in Batak society plays a significant role in perpetuating the subordination of women through reproductive control.
References
Al-Kadi, T. T., & Alzoubi, A. A. (2023). The Mythologist as a Virologist: Barthes’ Myths as Viruses. Philosophies, 8(1), 5–5. https://doi.org/10.3390/philosophies8010005
Andriyanti, V. W., Fanani, F., Eb, G. A., & Djaya, T. R. (2024). Memahami Representasi Budaya Patriarki Masyarakat Batak Dalam Film Ngeri Ngeri Sedap (Jurnal Janaloka, Vol. 2, Issue 1).
Arisoy, E. (2019). Multiculturalism in Cinema in the Context of Popular Culture (pp. 230–245). https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-8491-9.ch014
Beddows, A., & Mishra, A. (2024). How agencies enable and perpetuate the coercive control of women. Psychology of Women and Equalities Section Review, 7(1), 20–36. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpspowe.2024.7.1.20
Cabezas, M. (2022). Silencing feminism? Gender and the rise of the nationalist far right in Spain. Signs, 47(2), 319–345. https://doi.org/10.1086/716858
Chen, Y. (2024). Exploring the Penetration of Traditional Cultural Elements in Film Art. Arts Studies and Criticism, 5(1), 14–14. https://doi.org/10.32629/asc.v5i1.1856
CNN Indonesia. (2024). Sinopsis Catatan Harian Menantu Sinting, Drama Pasutri Baru dan Mertua. Https://Www.Cnnindonesia.Com/Hiburan/20240718132455-220-1122768/Sinopsis-Catatan-Harian-Menantu-Sinting-Drama-Pasutri-Baru-Dan-Mertua. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/hiburan/20240718132455-220-1122768/sinopsis-catatan-harian-menantu-sinting-drama-pasutri-baru-dan-mertua
Doychinova, K. (2023). Teaching methods based on constructivism in environmental education. Acta Scientifica Naturalis, 10(2), 97–108. https://doi.org/10.2478/asn-2023-0017
Futeng, Z. (2024). Intercultural Communication and Collision in the Movie Industry. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 7(3), 161–165. https://doi.org/10.25236/ajhss.2024.070325
Ginting, D. O., Suryanto, E., & Wardani, N. E. (2023). Dominasi Maskulinitas Suku Batak: Analisis Konstruksi Budaya Patriarki dalam Film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap. Widyaparwa, 51(1), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.26499/wdprw.v51i1.1290
Griffin, E. M., Ledbetter, A., & Sparks, G. (2019). A First Look At Communication Theory (Tenth Edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
Hossain, S. M., Nibir, M. M.-A.-M., & Rashid, M. (2023). Under Construction: The Female Gaze in Women Director’s Film. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 15–24. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2023/v38i2821
Hutahaean, T. C. N., Fitria Widiyani Roosinda, & Ariyan Alfraita. (2025). Analisis Isi Diskriminasi Gender Pada Budaya Keluarga Batak Dalam Film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap. PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial Dan Humaniora, 4(3), 4290–4299. https://doi.org/10.56799/PESHUM.V4I3.8300
Kamble, C., & Biswal, S. K. (2023). The Changing Role of Marginalised Women in Hindi Cinema: A Shift from Cinematic Negotiations to Empowerment. Media Watch, 14(3), 386–402. https://doi.org/10.1177/09760911231191266
Karam, B. (2016). Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender and Culture. Gender Questions, 1(1), 134–135. https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-8457/1555
Kartikawati, D., & Aryanto, C. A. (2023). Representation of Forms of Sexual Harassment in Women Through Film in the Perspective of Muted Group Theory (International Journal of Science and Society, Vol. 5, pp. 2023–2023). http://ijsoc.goacademica.com
Manuhoro Setyowati, R., & Setya Watie, E. D. (2024). Muted Group Theory Anomalies in Online Gender-Based Violence Experienced by Women Journalists. Journal of Social Research, 3(1), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.55324/JOSR.V3I1.1939
Naibaho, M. N. (2023). Investigating the Oppression of Toba Batak Women: Call for Empowerment and Women's Leadership. Studia Philosophica et Theologica, 23(1), 156–174. https://doi.org/10.35312/spet.v23i1.518
O. Alichie, B. (2023). “You don’t talk like a woman”: The influence of gender identity in the constructions of online misogyny. Feminist Media Studies, 23(4), 1409–1428. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2022.2032253
Rowlands, S. (2023). Controlling reproduction: Women, society, and state power. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2023.2186028
Saragih, O. K., & Ningrum, W. S. (2023). Tubuh Perempuan Dibalik Jeruji Budaya Patriarki (telaah Wacana Kritis Michael Foucault Terhadap Film Kim Ji-Young: Born 1982). SEIKAT: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial, Politik Dan Hukum, 2(4), 427–434. https://doi.org/10.55681/seikat.v2i4.765
Sianturi, T. D. Y., & Hidir, A. (2023). Modalities of Daughters in Patriarchal Traditions in the Batak Tribe Society. JETISH: Journal of Education Technology Information Social Sciences and Health, 2(2), 1613–1616. https://doi.org/10.57235/jetish.v2i2.974
Sibarani, R., & Gulo, Y. (2020). Subordinasi Kepemimpinan Perempuan dalam Budaya Batak Toba. Anthropos: Jurnal Antropologi Sosial Dan Budaya (Journal of Social and Cultural Anthropology), 6(1), 73–73. https://doi.org/10.24114/antro.v6i1.16636
Sihotang, A. P. (2018). Reposition Of Widow By Death Divorce In Bataknesse Inheritance Law From Gender Perspective. Diponegoro Law Review, 3(1), 84–84. https://doi.org/10.14710/dilrev.3.1.2018.84-103
Simatupang, E. C., Zuraida, I., & Hendar, H. (2024). The Portrayal of Women in Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap Movie: Sociolinguistics Study. English Review: Journal of English Education, 12(3), 1209–1218. https://doi.org/10.25134/erjee.v12i3.10845
Sitorus, N. G. (2024). “Boasa Hami Ingkon Gabe Sipangoloi?” Eksistensi Perempuan Batak Dalam Film Ngeri-Ngeri Sedap. KENOSIS: Jurnal Kajian Teologi, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.37196/kenosis.v9i2.664
Stewart, D. L. (2010). Researcher as Instrument: Understanding “Shifting” Findings in Constructivist Research. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 47(3), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.2202/1949-6605.6130
Swari, P. R., & Udayana, U. (2023). Budaya Patriarki dan Tantangan Dalam Kebebasan Berekpresi (Analisis Menggunakan Teori Konflik Ralf Dahrendorf). Jurnal Dinamika Sosial Budaya, 25(2), 213–218.
Syawal, M. S., Dwiandini, A., Khaerunnisa, D. H., & Irwansyah, I. (2024). Exploring The Role of Muted Group Theory In Understanding Women’s Experiences: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Humanity Studies (IJHS), 7(2), 279–294. https://doi.org/10.24071/IJHS.V7I2.7305
Tarigan, T. T., Pramiyanti, A., & Pasaribu, A. L. (2023). Representasi Subordinasi Perempuan Pada Karakter Descya Di Webtoon 304 th Study Room (Analisis Semiotika Roland Barthes) (Vol. 10, Issue 6, pp. 4648–4648).
Umaroh, L. & Adibatul Maulida. (2025). A Film Semiotics Study of Representation of Duality in Female Characters. Surakarta English and Literature Journal, 8(1), 135–148. https://doi.org/10.52429/SELJU.V8I1.301
Varlina, V., & Rachmatullah, M. K. (2024). Analisis Patriarki dalam Lensa Budaya Jawa pada Film Pendek “Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue.” 12(02). https://ojs.unikom.ac.id/index.php/visualita/
West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. (2021). Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application. McGraw-Hill Education.
Wibowo, G. (2019). Representasi Perempuan dalam Film Siti. Nyimak Journal of Communication, 3(1), 47–59
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 INJECT (Interdisciplinary Journal of Communication)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
