The Glittering World: Female Youth and Nocturnal Dugem Space in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

In Indonesia, dugem (nightclubs) represent one of the few public spaces where the pressures of the “outside” world are temporarily forgotten and nonnormative genders and sexualities explored. In cities with large student populations, clubs (and cafés selling alcohol) flourish despite being viewed as immoral havens of depravity by conservative religious factions. Youth who flaunt societal norms by engaging in behaviors such as alcohol and drug consumption and sexual experimentation outside of marriage (behaviors condoned in dugem) are stigmatized for engaging in pergaulan bebas (free relations/socializing). The public discourse of pergaulan bebas acts as a moral gauge of acceptable social interactions (for youth, and especially girls). According to this discourse, dugem are the primary site of pergaulan bebas. The conflicting hype around clubbing enhances the temptation for some and instills tremendous fear in others. This article argues that dugem is a vilified lifestyle and economic choice for female youth. Dugem represent a space for gendered and sexual selfexpression. They are also a site for the commercialization of the female body, one in which female youth negotiate complex choices in their roles as waitresses, hostesses, party girls, and guest relations officers (GROs).¹

Key Words:

• Youth
• pergaulan bebas
• gender
• clubbing