Islam, Women's Sexuality and Patriarchy in Indonesia

Irma Riyani
Paperback, 252 pages
9780367621766

Silent Desire

This book explores the intimate marital relationships of Indonesian Muslim married women. As well as describing and analysing their sexual relationships, the book also investigates how Islam influences discourses of sexuality in Indonesia, and in particular how Islamic teachings affect Muslim married women’s perceptions and behaviour in their sexual relationships with their husbands. Based on extensive original research, the book reveals that Muslim women perceive marriage as a social, cultural, and religious obligation that they need to fulfil; that they realise that finding an ideal marriage partner is complicated, with some having the opportunity for a long courtship and others barely knowing their partner prior to marriage; and that there is a strong tendency, with some exceptions, for women to consider a sexual relationship in marriage as their duty and their husband’s right. Religious and cultural discourses justify and support this view and consider refusal a sin (dosa) or taboo (pamali). Both discourses emphasise obedience towards husbands in marriage.

Contents
Introduction The Intertwining of Religion, Feminism, and Sexuality
1. Marriage and Sexuality: The Indonesian Context and Islamic Perspectives
2. Situating Sexuality in Fieldwork
3. Women’s Perceptions and Expectations of Marriage and Sexual Relations
4. Prelude to Marriage: Finding the Right Jodoh (Soul Mate) for Life
5. Marital Adjustment and Household Management
6. Women’s Experiences of Marital Sexual Relationships: Sex as a Duty
7. Women’s Experiences of Marital Sexual Relationships: Sex as a Right
8. Women, Islamic Texts, and Knowledge Construction