FATHERING PATTERNS IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THEMATIC TAFSIR: RECONSTRUCTING THE FATHER’S ROLE IN FEMALE MIGRANT WORKER FAMILIES

Abstract

The international labor migration of Indonesian women has reshaped household caregiving structures, positioning fathers as primary caregivers despite the absence of social scripts preparing them for this role. This study aims to analyze fathering patterns exemplified in Qur’anic narratives and their relevance to the parenting of children of female migrant workers (FMW) in Indonesia. This qualitative library research employs a thematic (maudhu’i) tafsir approach combined with a sociological-gender perspective. Primary data consist of Qur’anic verses on parenting (QS. Luqman 13–14; QS. Hud 42–43; QS. As-Saffat 100–102), analyzed following al-Farmawi’s thematic exegesis method across both riwayah-based (bi al-ma’tsur) and reason-based (bi al-ra’yi) schools of tafsir, and comparatively interpreted alongside contemporary empirical typologies of migrant fathers and official data from Indonesia’s Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI). The findings show that the examples of Luqman, Prophet Nuh, and Prophet Ibrahim embody three caregiving dimensions—sustained moral guidance, unconditional patience, and dialogical engagement—which correspond conceptually to the “intimate” and “democratic” father types identified in contemporary typologies, in contrast to the “indifferent” and “authoritarian” types associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes among left-behind children. The study recommends strengthening pre-departure parenting preparation for prospective fathers of FMW families and sustained psychosocial support for left-behind children.