Pengalaman Penjagaan Ibu Bapa Tua oleh Anak Dewasa: Satu Kajian dalam Kalangan Penduduk Melayu Bandar Berpendapatan Rendah (Experiences of Adult Children Caring for Aged Parents: A Study Among Low Income Urban Malay)

Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to understand from the Islamic perspective the nature of adult children caregivers’ experiences towards their aged parents and how they manage their daily activities while caring for their own family as well as manage their career. Phenomenology was chosen as the approach in this study. Informants were Malay adult children caring for their elderly parents aged 60 years and above, and from low income families in Kuala Lumpur. The findings encompass two major experiences of the adult children, which include their experiences before (pre experience) and while (actual experience) caring for the elderly parents. In going through these caregiving experiences, the informant assume the responsibility of caring (out of gratitude, dedication, sense of commitment, reciprocity and sharing problems); logical knowledge (based on reflection of one’s past deeds); and for tangible support (financial assistance and parents’ relationship with their daughters) and non- tangible support (such as cleaning the house, cooking and protecting their elderly parents’ feelings). This article conclude that an adult child who wants to take care of the aged parents must start with a feeling of ‘tawakal’ (taking into account individual strength and ability before committing to caregiving) and ends with being resolute, patient and acceptance in facing the challenges and problems in caring for their aged parents.

Keywords: Experience, caring responsibility, aged parents, adult child, reciporcal assistance

ABSTRAK

Tujuan utama artikel ini adalah untuk meninjau fenomena bagaimana seseorang penjaga (anak dewasa) mengharungi pengalaman dan mengurus aktiviti harian dalam menjaga ibu bapa tua, keluarga dan kerjaya serta bagaimanakah mereka memenuhi tuntutan agama Islam dalam menjaga ibu bapa tua. Kajian kes berasaskan pendekatan fenomenologi telah dipilih sebagai pendekatan kajian. Informan adalah anak dewasa yang menjaga ibu bapa yang berumur lebih 60 tahun, berbangsa Melayu, dengan status sosioekonomi rendah serta tinggal di sekitar Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur selain mempunyai keluarga sendiri. Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat dua pengalaman utama dalam kalangan anak dewasa yang menjaga ibu bapa tua, iaitu pra pengalaman dan pengalaman sebenar. Dalam melalui pengalaman penjagaan ini, informan memikul tanggungjawab penjagaan (membalas budi, dedikasi, komited, bertolak ansur dan berkongsi masalah); pengetahuan logikal (muhasabah diri dan timbal balik) dan kerana bantuan tangible (bantuan kewangan dan hubungan dengan anak perempuan) dan bukan tangible (mengemas rumah, memasak dan menjaga perasaan ibu bapa tua). Artikel ini merumuskan bahawa seseorang anak dewasa yang ingin menjaga ibu bapa tua perlu bermula dengan bertawakal (memperhitungkan kekuatan dan kemampuan seseorang individu terlebih dahulu sebelum mengerjakan sesuatu perkara) dan berakhir dengan tabah hati, sabar dan redha mengharungi masalah dan cabaran dalam menjaga ibu bapa mereka.

Kata kunci: Pengalaman, tanggungjawab penjagaan, ibu bapa tua, anak dewasa, bantuan timbal balik