DEPOK,
The Graduate Program of Communication Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia (FISIP UI), held a Doctor of Communication Science Promotion session for Atiqa Khaneef Harahap. She defended her dissertation entitled “Virtual Community of Working Mothers as State Ideological Apparatus: Ideology Reproduction through Supermom Discourse in Indonesia.”
The 161st Communication Science Doctoral Promotion Session was held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Juwono Sudarsono Auditorium (AJS), FISIP UI Campus, Depok. Prof. Drs. Adrianus Eliasta Meliala, M.Si., M.Sc., Ph.D. acted as chairman of the session, while Prof. Dr. Billy K. Sarwono acted as promoter and Dr. Camelia Catharina L.S. as copromoter. The examination team consisted of Prof. Dr. Kristi Poerwandari, Prof. Melani Budianta, Ph.D., Dr. Sunarto, Endah Triastuti, Ph.D., and Dr. Irwansyah.
Atiqa’s dissertation critically examines the role of virtual communities of working moms in shaping and reproducing the dominant ideology of “supermom” in Indonesia. This research makes an important contribution to understanding the relationship between digital media, gender and ideology in the context of contemporary society.
In her research, Atiqa found that working mothers’ need for social networking has now been integrated with the needs of corporations trying to market their products. They try to shape the dual role of mothers through the lens of religion, while reproducing the ideology of capitalism.
“The virtual community of working mothers shapes the discourse on the nature of mothers who must be able to do everything and carry out their natural duties,” said Atiqa.
This digital ethnography research shows that the discourse of “supermom” is formed through the interaction of mothers in a virtual community. They interact through a WhatsApp group managed by Orami Working Mom 2.
Even so, Atiqa also shows that there are resistance efforts from mothers to negotiate the meaning of “supermom” so that the discourse is more humane and in accordance with their abilities. “The findings show that virtual communities become spaces for ideological reproduction as well as spaces for support,” Atiqa explained.
Through her research, Atiqa hopes to make women in Indonesia aware of the hegemony of capitalism ideology applied through daily life practices. Atiqa also encourages corporations to be more empathetic towards the position of women who are often burdened with multiple roles. (FSI)
