YOGYAKARTA - In Indonesia, the role of family very determines achievement and development of children in their teen age. The interaction among family members causes a child more aware of their role as an individual and social being. This is different from the concept of Western psychology which focuses on personality development of adolescents based on the surrounding friends. "Unlike Western psychology, in Indonesia personality development and achievements of a teenager is determined by the family, not only for teenagers, but also for children, adolescents and adults," Dr. Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti, M.Med.Sc., the expert of clinical psychology, Faculty of Psychology Universitas Gadjah Mada, said to reporters on Friday (17/6).
According to Kwartarini, not all western psychological concepts can be applied in Indonesia. Therefore, it takes the development of psychology which is in accordance with the conditions of local communities. From the results of research conducted by Psychology Faculty of 3,000 young people in Yogyakarta and other cities in Indonesia, a teenager will find and feel happiness within himself after hanging out with the whole family, especially the presence of father and mother. "We had the result from the research we conducted on junior high school, high school and college students," she said.
Kwartarini added, parental supervision is perceived as essential in selecting sources of information obtained by children because the current information is more readily available, among others, through social networking sites and media information technology. "Parents should know the information which is good and needed by the children because the more information that goes into the child's brain will cause fatigue," she said. In addition, the presence of parents is also capable of reducing and serves as emotional control for a child who becomes irritated due to the many demands and competition in the neighborhood.
To provide education to parents and teachers about the various efforts to optimize the talents of children and the modern way of measuring talent, Kwartarini accompanied by two members of organizing committees said that Faculty of Psychology plans to hold a Seminar on Intelligent Parenting Parents and Great Teachers for Multitalented Children on 26 June in the Auditorium of Faculty of Psychology. Furthermore, in the same place a Seminar "Psychology of the Nation’ will also be held.