Child Independence and the Call for Self-Reliance in the Family: A QualitativeStudy on the Border of Autonomy and Dependence

Abstract

Child independence and call for self-reliance in the family: A qualitative study on the border of autonomy and dependence. The experience of independence for a child is influenced by their relationship with their parents and the conditions of the assistance, although child independence is often understood as the ability to perform activities without assistance. The present research aims to understand children’s experiences and interpretations of requests to execute activities independently, including the influence of aid, restrictions on assistance, and parental demands on these experiences. The research is a qualitative phenomenological study involving four children aged 5-6 years in the Siulak and Siulak Mukai Districts of Kerinci Regency, Jambi, through semistructured interviews, observations, documentation, and interviews with parents as supportive informants. The results indicate that independence is gained by attempting on their own, running into obstacles, realizing the limits of their capacities, and deciding when to ask for help. “Being able to do it alone” does not always imply autonomy because it may be a result of initiative or demand. This research underl