KONSTRUKSI IDENTITAS MASKULINITAS DI KALANGAN PEROKOK PELAJAR DI MTs MA’ARIF NU KEDUNGKENDO
THE CONSTRUCTION OF MASCULINE IDENTITY AMONG SMOKING STUDENTS AT MTS MA’ARIF NU KEDUNGKENDO
This study aims to reveal how the construction of masculine identity is
formed through the smoking habits of male students at MTs Ma’arif NU
Kedungkendo and to identify the factors that influence the formation of such
identities. The phenomenon of smoking among adolescents particularly among
junior high school studentsc annot be understood merely as deviant behavior or a
health issue, but rather as the result of a complex social construction. In a patriarchal
culture, masculinity is often associated with bravery, independence, and maturity,
which are then represented through smoking behavior. This research uses a
qualitative approach with data collected through in-depth interviews, observations,
and documentation. The data were analyzed using Berger and Luckmann’s theory
of social construction, focusing on the processes of internalization, objectivation,
and externalization.
The findings reveal that smoking is used by male students as a symbol to
express their identity as “real men.” Environmental influences especially from
permissive families or those that provide negative examples, peer groups that serve
as primary social references, and weak school regulation emerge as dominant
factors shaping smoking behavior. Additionally, social media platforms such as
TikTok and YouTube further reinforce the image that male smokers appear cooler,
more mature, and masculine. This indicates that the construction of masculine
identity among students does not occur naturally, but is shaped and sustained
through the social and cultural interactions surrounding them. This study
recommends the implementation of educational and reflective approaches within
schools, families, and communities to deconstruct harmful symbols of masculinity
and to build a new, healthier, and more constructive understanding of what it means
to be masculine.