The Influence of Hedonistic Culture to Minangkabau Juveniles’ Social Behaviors in the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

This study is based on the emergence of teenagers’ behaviors which is deviated from the tradition of Minangkabau society. It aims to determine how hedonism affects Minangkabau's local pearls of wisdom. A qualitative approach with phenomenology research design was used where 25 Minangkabau teenagers, religious and traditional leaders who live in Lima Puluh Kota, Tanah Datar, and Agam involved in the study. The data taken from observation, interview, and documentation. The results reveal that the paradigm shift of young Minangkabau’s social behavior is caused by hedonism that can be seen in both positive and negative aspects. In positive ways, they live their lives mainly to fulfill their needs, add experiences, create a sense of secure for the community, and be open minded. Meanwhile, in negative ways, traditions based on Islamic laws and the Holly Quran were regarded only as symbols. Such hedonism tends to trigger crime, individualism, laziness, free-sex, insecurity, and consumptive. Thus, this kind of behavior was caused by the absence of religious and custom education they had in the family and social lives.