Carok As Cultural Violence, Is It Possible to be Stopped?

Violence had already become a reality of human experience. Whereas men mostly engage in physical fights, intimidation, and street crimes (Loeber & Stouthamer-Loeber, 1998) compared to women there is growing evidence that some forms of violence are encountered in everyday life. There are various explanations for why disparities in violence persist. Unfortunately, no single theory or perspective can capture all the reasons why certain groups and ethnicities experience more violence than others. Carok os referred to as tradition, it is associated with someone’s way to regain their pride that was underestimated by others, and carok itself considered as an arena or platform to exhibit one’s real and symbolic power at the same time (Aminah, Kinasih, Koesbardiati, 2007). Therefore, up until these days, the inherent comprehension between the Maduranese. From violence perspective, carok is a direct and cultural violence. Carok is a form of unfolded battle carried out by two people who opinionated that their respective pride and symbolic power are threatened, disrupted, and not respected.

Carok (Roikan's Artwork 2021)

Carok prevention is important, but the challenges and obstacles remain. Carok integrates cultural contexts and social forces. As a form of violence, carok resulting impacts on social, economic and political development policies. The existence of differences in the definition of carok from researchers, practitioners, criminologists, legal experts, law enforcement officials, and policy makers affects the formulation of recommendations. The fact that a distinct definition of carok according to researchers, practitioners, criminologists, legal experts, law enforcement officials, and policy makers affects the formulation of recommendations that exists affects the recommendations formulas. The problem is not due to the causes of carok complexity, but also to find ways and policies to prevent it. This is a challenge for all policy makers on all fronts to reduce carok violence against the Maduranese.

Recognizing the correlation between male negative socialization and violence invites us to support prevention strategies that counter the problematic normative pressures boys encounter. To identify social norms related to gender and seek to change the way men perceive and express themselves which changes gender practices, including the use of carok to be male in addition to being a way to deal with gender and socio-economic and political pressures.

Such problems require alternative resolutions. The most dangerous effect of carok is vengeance. There is a struggle between symbolic power and symbolic power. In Maduranese culture, symbolic power lies in both men and women. In carok there are a series of values in the form of a show of real power and symbolic power: protecting and maintaining the honor and dignity that is inherent by individuals. Therefore, if someone interferes with their existence (interfering with their symbolic power) then the individual will act in a carok way. This matter formed the structure of an aggressive mindset among the Madurese community then. They consider that the ability of carok is an act that is appreciated in the Madurese society. Thus, carok is legitimized and accepted as a socially cultural 'right' act.