Page 628 - Proceedings Collega2023

Implementing of Manak Values

Javanese society has a philosophy of living in a social order that is neatly organized and in harmony (Kuper,
1991). The philosophy is reflected in the cultural values of respect and harmony that underline the
attitudes of Javanese people in the community or family. Although a JW was allowed to work in the public
sector, she must not neglect household chores, such as cooking, cleaning, serving her husband, and taking
care of the children (Wulansari, 2011). JWs use verbal and nonverbal symbols to encode the message to
French locals, while the French locals should decode those messages, or vice versa in terms of Manak
values.

There is variation in the level of agreement on using symbols, which encourage effective
evaluation between one culture to another, thus, allowing different interpretations of symbols of
expression between them (Pramudhito, 2017). When there is a variation gap in each expression, there is
a possibility that there will be differences in meaning that cause misunderstandings between each partner.
Intercultural married couples should observe, learn, and pay attention to the ways of expressing their
emotions through symbols towards better understanding of meaning and reducing conflict due to cultural
gaps, especially in Manak values.
Communication is the initial process of acculturation (Qaidar and Anisah, 2018), and there were
also cultural changes associated with the process of implementing the marriage and other cultures. JWs
interact and communicate about Manak values with French locals and society with the use of nonverbal
symbols, languages, and perspectives (Charon, 1979). The JWs decoded their intent by selecting the proper
word or nonverbal sign (Ting-Toomey and Dorjee, 2018). Furthermore, it is based on the concept of
symbolic interaction (Mead, 1972; Blumer, 1962). French locals encode the messages that are exchanged
by transforming words, nonverbal gestures, or hints into meaningful meanings, or vice versa. Intercultural
communication between JWs and French locals has communication barriers (Barna, 1997), which affected
JWs and French locals' opinions toward Manak values.

Since childhood, Javanese women have been plugged into domestic tasks surrounding dapur-
kasur-sumur, which is worship, respect, obedience to the husband, and good at 3M (Utoyo, 1998; Bonita,
2012; Fachrani, 2015). When JWs married to French locals and migrated to Paris, they adapted and took
advantage of the equal rights between men and women. In terms of sexual activity in bed, the majority of
JWs were likewise active in initiating or refusing it. However, having an offspring is not an obligation. In the
absence of offspring, French locals and their families did not blame Javanese women. The JWs also
received support and rewards from the French government when giving birth to children, as well as
assistance for the children's educational needs.

In parenting, JWs and French locals continued to educate their children in both Javanese and
French cultures. According to Romano (2008), while both parents seek the same aims and dreams for their
children, the process of teaching children does not always go smoothly due to various differences, such as
the challenge of comprehending philosophy, cultural values, and beliefs. What is considered disrespectful
in Java may become common in France, such as giving with one's left hand, lifting a chair at the table, or
arguing with one's parents. Since, they lived in France, these children grasp French culture and language
more quickly, even though JWs continued to educate them in Javanese culture so that their children could
comprehend the roots of Javanese culture and French culture.

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