From Client to Partner: Negotiating the Meaning of Power Asymmetry in Communication Between Worker Parents and Daycare Organizers
Keywords:
Parent-Daycare Communication, Meaning Negotiation, Asymmetric Communication, Structuration Theory, Coordinated Management of Meaning Theory
Abstract
The relationship between the parents of the workers and the daycare manager is frequently characterized as evolving from a client-service provider dynamic to a partnership. This qualitative case study conducted at Koala Daycare in Jimbaran challenges the linear narrative by uncovering the complexity of meaning and power negotiation. Through comprehensive observations and interviews with both parents and managers, analyzed using Giddens' Structuration Theory and the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), this study reveals that power relations are dynamic and subject to continuous negotiation. The findings indicate that communication forms a cyclical process, beginning with the negotiation of written rules, followed by the power struggle among experts during the initiation stage, the selective openness of parents, and the paradox of CCTV technological transparency, which simultaneously fosters trust and serves as a supervisory mechanism. The critical conclusion is that what emerges is not a genuine partnership but rather a "pseudo-partnership"—a fragile social order perpetually maintained through the coordination of meaning in everyday communication, amid the tension between transactional and collaborative logic.
References
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Purola, K., & Kuusisto, A. (2021). Parental participation and connectedness through family social capital theory in the early childhood education community. Cogent Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.1923361
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Sutama, I. W. (2024). OPTIMIZING ONLINE MEDIA IN PROMOTION OF MARINE TOURISM IN GILI NANGGU. Paryaṭaka Jurnal Pariwisata Budaya Dan Keagamaan, 3(1), 274–288. https://doi.org/10.53977/pyt.v3i1.1319
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Yanow, D. (2006). Talking about Practices: On Julian Orr’s Talking About Machines. Organization Studies, 27(12), 1743–1756. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840606071935
Yigit, A. O., & Ay, F. A. (2019). The effect of emotional labor and impression management on burnout: Example of Family Physicians. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.4
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. In Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research (Vol. 53, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1177/109634809702100108
Badan Pusat Statistik Indonesia. (2023). Statistik Indonesia Dalam Infografis 2023. Statistik Indonesia, 1101001.
Berger, C. R., & Calabrese, R. J. (1975). Some Explorations in Initial Interaction and Beyond: Toward A Developmental Theory of Interpersonal Communication. Human Communication Research, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1975.tb00258.x
Berridge, J. (1991). Childcare Provisions – The Perk Whose Time is Yet to Come. Employee Relations, 13(3), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1108/01425459110135360
Bulger, C. A., Matthews, R. A., & Hoffman, M. E. (2007). Work and personal life boundary management: Boundary strength, work/personal life balance, and the segmentation-integration continuum. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 12(4), 365–375. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8998.12.4.365
Carey, S., & Sutton, A. (2024). Early childhood teachers’ emotional labour: The role of job and personal resources in protecting well-being. Teaching and Teacher Education, 148, 104699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104699
Carlson, H. L., Zvagina, O., & Stenmalm Sjölom, L. (1997). Early Childhood Education in Societal Context: Teachers in Three Countries Speak About Early Childhood Education. Early Education & Development, 8(2), 169–186. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15566935eed0802_5
Cohen, R. (2000). Meaning, Interpretation and International Negotiation. Global Society, 14(3), 317–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600820050085732
Cook, K. D., Fisk, E., Lombardi, C. M., & Ferreira van Leer, K. (2024). Caring for Whole Families: Relationships Between Providers and Families During Infancy and Toddlerhood. Early Childhood Education Journal, 52(5), 921–933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01491-x
Creswell, J. W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. In Qualitative Health Research (Vol. 9, Issue 5).
Crosby, F. J., & Sabattini, L. (2005). Family and Work Balance. In Handbook of Girls’ and Women’s Psychological Health (pp. 350–358). Oxford University PressNew York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195162035.003.0037
Cryer, D., & Burchinal, M. (1997). Parents as child care consumers. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 12(1), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2006(97)90042-9
Cryer, D., Tietze, W., & Wessels, H. (2002). Parents’ perceptions of their children’s child care: a cross-national comparison. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 17(2), 259–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2006(02)00148-5
Druckman, D., Cuillerier, J., & Thdz, C. (2007). Negotiation and Identity: Implications for Negotiation Theory. Négociations, n° 8(2), 91–102. https://doi.org/10.3917/neg.008.0091
Falkenberg, L., & Monachello, M. (1990). Dual-career and dual-income families: Do they have different needs? Journal of Business Ethics, 9(4–5), 339–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00380332
French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of Social Power.pdf. In Studies in Social Power (pp. 150–167).
French, J. R., Raven, B., & Cartwright, D. (1959). The bases of social power. In D. Cartwright and A. Zander. In Classics of Organizaiton Theory.
Giddens, A. (1984). The Constitution of Society: outline of the theory of structuration. Cambridge University Press.
Giddens, A. (2004). The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration: Elements of the theory of structuration. In Practicing History: New Directions in Historical Writing after the Linguistic Turn.
Giddens, A. (2014). Structuration theory: Past, present and future. In Giddens’ Theory of Structuration: A Critical Appreciation.
Goffman, E. (1959). Presentation of self in everyday life. American Journal of Sociology, 55.
Greer, L., & Bendersky, C. (2013). Power and Status in Conflict and Negotiation Research: Introduction to the Special Issue. Negotiation and Conflict Management Research, 6(4), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1111/ncmr.12021
Hall, S. (1976). Beyond Culture. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
Hofstede, G. (2009). Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions.
Hummel, T. G., Cohen, F., & Anders, Y. (2023). Parents’ Trust in Their Child’s Preschool: Associations with Child and Family Characteristics and Aspects of Parent-Preschool Communication. Early Education and Development, 34(5), 1057–1074. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.2101344
International Labour Organization. (2021). Unemployment rate (%) - ILO modelled estimates - Annual. In ILOSTAT database.
Joseph, J., & Sebastian, D. J. (2019). Work-life Balance Vs Work-family balance-An Evaluation of Scope. Amity Global HRM Review, 9.
Katz, E. (1955). Group Dynamics: Research and Theory. Dorwin Cartwright , Alvin Zander . American Journal of Sociology, 61(1). https://doi.org/10.1086/221681
Keyes, C. R. (2002). A way of thinking about parent/teacher partnerships for teachers. International Journal of Early Years Education, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1080/0966976022000044726
Kim, M. (Sunny), Ma, E., & Wang, L. (2023). Work-family supportive benefits, programs, and policies and employee well-being: Implications for the hospitality industry. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 108, 103356. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2022.103356
KPPPA. (2022). Optimalkan Pengasuhan Anak Di Lingkungan Kerja, KemenPPPA Resmikan Daycare Ramah Anak. https://www.kemenpppa.go.id/
Laughlin, L. (2004). Making Care Work: Employed Mothers in the New Child Care Market. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66(2), 544–545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2004.0br_3.x
Mason, K., Brown, A., & Carter, S. (2025). Capturing the Complexities of Collaborative Partnerships in Early Childhood Through Metaphor. Early Childhood Education Journal, 53(1), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01580-x
Pearce, W. B., & Cronen, V. E. (1980). Communication, action, and meaning : the creation of social realities. In Praeger special studies TA - TT -. Praeger. https://doi.org/LK - https://worldcat.org/title/6735774
Petrovic, Z., Clayton, O., Matthews, J., Wade, C., Tan, L., Meyer, D., Gates, A., Almendingen, A., & Cann, W. (2019). Building the skills and confidence of early childhood educators to work with parents: study protocol for the Partnering with Parents cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 19(1), 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-019-0846-1
Purola, K., & Kuusisto, A. (2021). Parental participation and connectedness through family social capital theory in the early childhood education community. Cogent Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.1923361
Raley, S. B., Mattingly, M. J., & Bianchi, S. M. (2006). How Dual Are Dual‐Income Couples? Documenting Change From 1970 to 2001. Journal of Marriage and Family, 68(1), 11–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00230.x
Sudiartawan, I. W., & Sutama, I. W. (2022). KOMUNIKASI BUDAYA DALAM TRADISI NGELOWONG MASYARAKAT SASAK WETU TELU DI LOMBOK. Samvada : Jurnal Riset Komunikasi, Media, Dan Public Relation, 1(2), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.53977/jsv.v1i2.762
Sunetra, N. O., & Wijaya, I. G. B. (2024). Strategi Positioning Merek Sebagai Pengembangan Usaha Mikro Kecil Dan Menengah: Literature Review. Guna Sewaka, 3(1), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.53977/jgs.v3i1.1598
Sutama, I. W. (2024). OPTIMIZING ONLINE MEDIA IN PROMOTION OF MARINE TOURISM IN GILI NANGGU. Paryaṭaka Jurnal Pariwisata Budaya Dan Keagamaan, 3(1), 274–288. https://doi.org/10.53977/pyt.v3i1.1319
Swani, Ni Made, et all. (2024). Strategi dan Tantangan Konvergensi Media Dalam Komunikasi Penyiaran Digital (Studi Kasus Program Mimbar Agama Hindu di TVRI NTB). Samvada : Jurnal Riset Komunikasi, Media, Dan Public Relation, 3(1), 39–49.
Varenia, I. A. N., & Phalguna, I. B. Y. (2022). Implikasi Media Baru Sebagai Media Komunikasi Dan Teknologi Informasi. Sadharananikarana: Jurnal Ilmiah Komunikasi Hindu, 4(1), 623–632. https://doi.org/10.53977/sadharananikarana.v4i1.614
Yanow, D. (2006). Talking about Practices: On Julian Orr’s Talking About Machines. Organization Studies, 27(12), 1743–1756. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840606071935
Yigit, A. O., & Ay, F. A. (2019). The effect of emotional labor and impression management on burnout: Example of Family Physicians. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.3.4
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. In Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research (Vol. 53, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1177/109634809702100108
Published
2025-11-28
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Articles
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