<![CDATA[Background: While popular media frequently stereotypes Batak mothers as strictly authoritarian, the reality is far more complex for single mothers who must navigate life within a patrilineal system that fundamentally limits their structural authority. Purpose: This research examines how communication patterns of Batak single mothers in the Induk Gajah series (2023) are analyzed to assert authority, negotiate domestic rules, and adapt their parenting strategies in daily interactions, with a focus on their portrayal in the series. Methods: Employing a qualitative descriptive design with multilevel textual analysis, the research decodes media representations of maternal sacrifice while contextualizing them within the socio-cultural realities of single-parent households. Results: This analysis reveals a clear initial tendency toward an authoritarian-protective pattern, characterized by one-way instructions and strict emotional control. However, a significant shift emerges toward an authoritative-consensual pattern that fosters open dialogue and mutual negotiation. Conclusion: This communicative transition reflects Batak single mothers in reclaiming their maternal roles amidst social stigma and vulnerability. Implications: Ultimately, this research advances scholarship in television and family communication by mapping how ethnic interaction patterns are shaped by parent’s sociological status and underscoring the importance of nuanced representations of single mothers in Indonesian media.]]>
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