Parenting Values and Practices among Muslim Parents in Indonesia

Despite the fact that Muslims are fast becoming part of the world population, they are the least known group. Moreover, Muslims have been seriously misunderstood and negatively perceived because of several tragic events related to terrorist attacks or wars in the Middle East countries. In this light, the current study examined how parenting values and practices varied by importance of religion, gender, and generation, based on the questionnaire data collected from 312 Muslim fathers and mothers living in Jakarta, Indonesia. The most salient result of this study was that the religion was at the center of everyday lives. The importance of religion in their lives clearly translated in their parenting styles by engaging in religious practices with their children. At the same time, Muslim parents in Indonesia had a high level of expectation for their children's education and making happy family life as well as being faithful as Muslim. This study contributed to promoting cultural sensitivity towards Muslims by examining Indonesian Muslim parents' parenting values and practices.