Online Comics as Educational Media in Preparing DualEarners Families Becoming Parents

Abstract

Co-parenting in dual-earners families, where both parents work, has been shown to have a significant positive relationship with the level of satisfaction in marriage. Unfortunately, education regarding preparing individuals to become a parent as well as implementing co-parenting is scarce, especially in Indonesia. Online comics can be a great medium for delivering educational information about co-parenting in effort to increase parental readiness. This article aims to explore the preparedness of dual earner parents and how to design effective online comics as a medium for co-parenting. To get maximum results, this research uses a qualitative descriptive method through journals, books and interviews. Researchers found 6 dimensions and 3 causes that affect parental readiness. Weak financial family management, patriarchal culture and minimal education in preparing become parents are identified as the main causes of unpreparedness to become parents. Online comics are considered to be an appropriate information medium to educate future parents about co-parenting as 97% of millennials are smartphone users. Millennials love using their smartphone because of its practicality and 75% of them uses smartphones to access social media. The educational comic about co-parenting that will be made is expected to be based on the 4 components of co-parenting. The story will be comedic, virtuous, relatable, and up to date. The visual style presented will also be consistent and unique so that it is easily recognizable by the reader.