Peran Orang Tua dalam Pembentukan Identitas Budaya Batak Toba pada Anak di Dusun XIX Pasar IV Ghermania

Abstract

This study examines the role of parents in shaping the cultural identity of Batak Toba children in Dusun XIX Pasar IV Ghermania, Hamparan Perak District, North Sumatra. The research is motivated by concerns over the gradual erosion of local cultural values due to the strong influence of modernization and globalization, especially among the younger generation. In Batak Toba society, which adheres to a patrilineal system and the life philosophy of Dalihan Na Tolu, the existence of children particularly male children is vital in preserving cultural continuity and lineage. Therefore, the role of parents as the primary agents in the transmission of cultural values becomes a crucial aspect to be examined. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method, employing participatory observation and in-depth interviews with ten informants five parents and five children. The research was conducted within a Batak Toba community that is socioeconomically dependent on collecting food waste (Bernasbus) for livestock feed, providing a unique context for cultural value transmission. The findings show that parents play a decisive role in instilling cultural identity in their children through informal education, including the use of the Batak Toba language, involvement in traditional and religious ceremonies, and the practice of moral values such as hasangapon (honor), hamoraon (prosperity), and hagabeon (descendants). Parenting in Batak Toba families in this village integrates cultural, religious, and social values into daily life such as involving children in traditional ceremonies, family worship (partangiangan), and household responsibilities rich in cultural education. However, challenges arise due to the influx of external cultures through media, education, and a pluralistic social environment. Children more frequently use the Indonesian language, have limited understanding of the symbolic meanings in traditional customs, and are increasingly drawn to global popular culture. This study emphasizes that the success of cultural transmission greatly depends on the consistency and awareness of parents in instilling cultural values from an early age. Therefore, parents are expected not only to be cultural preservers but also active educators and role models who adapt their parenting strategies to modern social dynamics. It is recommended that the family's role be strengthened with support from the community, schools, and government institutions through programs that revitalize cultural enthusiasm among Batak Toba children. In this way, cultural identity becomes not just a heritage of the past, but a foundational element of character for the younger generation in facing future challenges.