The Contribution of Cultural System in Toodler Parenting by Mother (In the Context of Nutritional Status)

Pecuk village is an area with a nutrition vulnerable environment, which is a region with a relatively low income, vulnerable food availability, and low level of education, most of the people only finish at elementary level, but have a relatively good nutritional status. Questions explored in this study are whether there is cultural system contribution and what elements of cultural systems supporting toddlers parenting by their mother which are related to nutritional status in Pecuk village. This study is designed to have a qualitative approach with a focus on cultural system which is related to the mother’s parenting of toddlers that influence the nutritional status. The strategy used is the field research, a case study in Pecuk village. Data are collected in the form of qualitative data and quantitative data, so that the instruments in this study are the author herself along with one member of the research team, questionnaires, food recall, and supporting instruments such as observations, interviews and focus group discussions. The results shows that: 1) in the village of Pecuk, nutritional status of children becomes good because of the support of existing cultural system, 2) elements of cultural systems supporting toddlers parenting by their mother related to nutritional status are norms, values, and habits focusing on high value of children. Keywords: social systems, nutritional status, parenting, toddler, mother