Reflections on Gender Roles: Youth Voices After Watching “Purusa, Utama?”

This week, in the Youth Empowerment gender lesson, our high school students reviewed a short movie entitled “Purusa, Utama?” that vividly illustrated the harmful effects of patriarchy in Balinese households and evoked strong emotions because of its relevance to their own lives.

Several students related closely to the characters, especially the abusive father figure who enforced strict discipline by raising his son with corporal punishment, while giving his daughter endless domestic chores and restricting her freedom to go out at night. They also highlighted the mother’s “triple burden”: managing household duties, running the family business, and fulfilling customary obligations, all without support from the father, since these responsibilities are considered “women’s work.”

Most students however noted that their own family’s lives differ significantly from the film. At home, their parents share responsibilities more equally, supporting one another regardless of gender. While tasks may not be identical, the workload is distributed fairly.

“Sometimes my parents argue, but my father will never throw things when meals aren’t ready because my mother is busy. He doesn’t prepare offerings, but he helps by gathering materials like coconut leaves. He even cooks sometimes,” one boy said with relief.

Overall, the students agreed that gender inequality still exists in some places, but they felt reassured that many families are becoming more aware and treating members more equally. They recognized that inequality is systemic and requires collective, consistent effort to overcome. With growing awareness, they hope more families will create supportive environments where boys are treated kindly, fathers help in the kitchen and girls have more freedom.

By: Gede Sudarma, EBPP Youth Empowerment Coordinator