Love battle in the middle of the social arena: An analysis of relationships without parental approval based on Pierre Bourdieu's theory

O.K. Dedy Arwansyah; Agung Suharyanto

doi:10.31893/humanitj.2025012

Keywords:

habitus

symbolic capital

social arena

Abstract

This study investigates the phenomenon of romantic relationships unapproved by parents through Bourdieu’s theoretical framework of habitus, capital, and social arena. It explores how differing values between generations create internal conflicts, where parents emphasize family honor, economic stability, and social status, while children prioritize emotional commitment. Using a qualitative approach with secondary data analysis, the research reveals that parental blessing functions as symbolic capital, serving as a marker of social legitimacy. In societies valuing collectivity, a lack of approval results in significant stigma and social pressure. However, some couples attempt to gain legitimacy by leveraging cultural, social, and economic capital. The findings underscore that romantic relationships reflect a broader social dynamic of power struggles, where habitus, doxa, and symbolic capital shape the battle for recognition and legitimacy.
References
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11. Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 685–704.
12. Farina, A. (1960). Patterns of role dominance and conflict in parents of schizophrenic patients. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61(1), 31.
13. Florencia, A., Hutapea, J., & Nurcahyanie, O. P. (2024). Faktor-Faktor Harapan Orang Tua Yang Tidak Realistis Terhadap Anak: Tinjauan Pustaka Sistematis. Jurnal Binagogik, 11(2), 34–48.
14. Freeman, E. (2002). The wedding complex: Forms of belonging in modern American culture. Duke University Press.
15. French, K. A., Dumani, S., Allen, T. D., & Shockley, K. M. (2018). A meta-analysis of work–family conflict and social support. Psychological Bulletin, 144(3), 284.
16. Gillis, J. R. (1997). A world of their own making: Myth, ritual, and the quest for family values. Harvard University Press.
17. Gray-Little, B., & Burks, N. (1983). Power and satisfaction in marriage: A review and critique. Psychological Bulletin, 93(3), 513.
18. Illouz, E. (2012). Why love hurts: A sociological explanation. Polity.
19. Illouz, E. (2023). Consuming the romantic utopia: Love and the cultural contradictions of capitalism. Univ of California Press.
20. Jacob, T. (1974). Patterns of family conflict and dominance as a function of child age and social class. Developmental Psychology, 10(1), 1.
21. Komter, A. E. (2005). Social solidarity and the gift. Cambridge University Press.
22. Megawati, M. (2019). Fenomena Nikah Silaring Di Kota Parepare Tinjauan Sosiologi Hukum. http://repository.iainpare.ac.id/id/eprint/980/
23. Nairz-Wirth, E., Feldmann, K., & Spiegl, J. (2017). Habitus conflicts and experiences of symbolic violence as obstacles for non-traditional students. European Educational Research Journal, 16(1), 12–29.
24. Nowicka, M. (2015). Habitus: Its transformation and transfer through cultural encounters in migration. In Bourdieu, habitus and social research: The art of application (pp. 93–110). Springer.
25. Wardian, S. A. (2021). Berbeda Strata Ekonomi Sebagai Hambatan Persetujuan Pernikahan (Penelitian Di Kecamatan Simuelue Timur Kabupaten Simeulue). https://repository.ar-raniry.ac.id/id/eprint/18493/

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Arwansyah, O. D., & Suharyanto, A. (2025). Love battle in the middle of the social arena: An analysis of relationships without parental approval based on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory. Humanities Journal, 2(3), 2025012. https://doi.org/10.31893/humanitj.2025012

[1] Amadah, A. (2015). DINAMIKA PENGAMBILAN KEPUTUSAN MENIKAH TANPA RESTU ORANG TUA (Studi Kasus Pada Perempuan Menikah Tanpa Restu Orang tua di Jawa Timur).

[2] Astika, P. A. (2019). Strategi Manajemen Konflik Orangtua dan Remaja Putri usia 19-22 Tahun Dalam Konflik Pemilihan Pasangan. https://repository.unair.ac.id/84254/

[3] Belfiore, E., & Bennett, O. (2008). The social impact of the arts. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

[4] Belsey, C. (1999). Shakespeare and the loss of Eden: The construction of family values in early modern culture. Bloomsbury Publishing.

[5] Bender, C., Cadge, W., Levitt, P., & Smilde, D. (2012). Religion on the Edge: De-centering and Re-centering the Sociology of Religion. Oxford University Press.

[6] Blanc, A. K. (2001). The effect of power in sexual relationships on sexual and reproductive health: an examination of the evidence. Studies in Family Planning, 32(3), 189–213.

[7] Bourdieu, P. (1994). Structures, habitus, power: Basis for a theory of symbolic power. Culture/Power/History: A Reader in Contemporary Social Theory, 155, 199.

[8] Bourdieu, P. (2018). The forms of capital. In The sociology of economic life (pp. 78–92). Routledge.

[9] Carbone, J., & Cahn, N. (2014). Marriage markets: How inequality is remaking the American family. OUP USA.

[10] Chambers, D., & Gracia, P. (2021). A sociology of family life: Change and diversity in intimate relations. John Wiley & Sons.

[11] Conger, R. D., Conger, K. J., & Martin, M. J. (2010). Socioeconomic status, family processes, and individual development. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72(3), 685–704.

[12] Farina, A. (1960). Patterns of role dominance and conflict in parents of schizophrenic patients. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61(1), 31.

[13] Florencia, A., Hutapea, J., & Nurcahyanie, O. P. (2024). Faktor-Faktor Harapan Orang Tua Yang Tidak Realistis Terhadap Anak: Tinjauan Pustaka Sistematis. Jurnal Binagogik, 11(2), 34–48.

[14] Freeman, E. (2002). The wedding complex: Forms of belonging in modern American culture. Duke University Press.

[15] French, K. A., Dumani, S., Allen, T. D., & Shockley, K. M. (2018). A meta-analysis of work–family conflict and social support. Psychological Bulletin, 144(3), 284.

[16] Gillis, J. R. (1997). A world of their own making: Myth, ritual, and the quest for family values. Harvard University Press.

[17] Gray-Little, B., & Burks, N. (1983). Power and satisfaction in marriage: A review and critique. Psychological Bulletin, 93(3), 513.

[18] Illouz, E. (2012). Why love hurts: A sociological explanation. Polity.

[19] Illouz, E. (2023). Consuming the romantic utopia: Love and the cultural contradictions of capitalism. Univ of California Press.

[20] Jacob, T. (1974). Patterns of family conflict and dominance as a function of child age and social class. Developmental Psychology, 10(1), 1.

[21] Komter, A. E. (2005). Social solidarity and the gift. Cambridge University Press.

[22] Megawati, M. (2019). Fenomena Nikah Silaring Di Kota Parepare Tinjauan Sosiologi Hukum. http://repository.iainpare.ac.id/id/eprint/980/

[23] Nairz-Wirth, E., Feldmann, K., & Spiegl, J. (2017). Habitus conflicts and experiences of symbolic violence as obstacles for non-traditional students. European Educational Research Journal, 16(1), 12–29.

[24] Nowicka, M. (2015). Habitus: Its transformation and transfer through cultural encounters in migration. In Bourdieu, habitus and social research: The art of application (pp. 93–110). Springer.

[25] Wardian, S. A. (2021). Berbeda Strata Ekonomi Sebagai Hambatan Persetujuan Pernikahan (Penelitian Di Kecamatan Simuelue Timur Kabupaten Simeulue). https://repository.ar-raniry.ac.id/id/eprint/18493/

Abstract

References

How to cite