• Child Studies in Asia-Pacific Contexts
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-122
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• 2012

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.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1717-1723
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• 2016

Background: This study assessed parental experiences with chemotherapy-induced alopecia among children with cancer treated at an Indonesian academic hospital. Materials and Methods: Fifty parents of childhood cancer patients were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Results: The moment that hair fell out was the moment that parents (84%) had to admit their child had cancer. Alopecia was a traumatizing painful experience (46%). Active strategies to hide alopecia, mainly hats, were used by 66% of children, while 34% never covered their bald head. If money had not been an issue, 40% would use another strategy. Alopecia made children limit outdoor daily activities (78%) and engagement with others (60%). Significantly more children from high-educated (95%) than low-educated (60%) parents received sympathy from other people (P=0.012). Significantly more Christian (29%) than Muslim (0%) families confirmed that alopecia lowered the quality of life (P=0.046). Most parents (82%) had no prior plans about alopecia management, yet for significantly more girls (26%) than boys (0%) such plans existed (P=0.044). Parents received most information about alopecia from other parents (66%). Parents (92%) needed more alopecia education from doctors. Of all school-attending children, 53% were bullied and 47% did not want to attend school due to alopecia. Significantly more high-educated than low-educated families received pity from teachers and pupils (94% vs. 0%, P=0.004), and acceptance by pupils (81% vs. 0%, P=0.021). Conclusions: Alopecia is a severe, far-stretching side-effect of chemotherapy with physical, psychological and social consequences for children and parents. Parents should be better informed about occurrence and impact of alopecia. Extra attention is required to facilitate children's return to school. Healthcare providers should facilitate optimal supportive care through open dialogue and provision of educational m aterials for parents, children and their community.