Social Structure and Poverty in the Fishing Community at Pandang-Pandang, Jeneponto in South Sulawesi Province

Abstract

This research was conducted in Pandang-pandang, Palajau Village, Arungkeke Sub-district, Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi province. This research aims at finding out a scientific information about the social structure as a determinant factor of poverty in fishing communities in Pandang-pandang. This research was a case study research on the basis that this research specifically described clearly the meaning and phenomena that occur. This research also used a qualitative approach to analyze and reconstruct a structure as the cause of poverty in fishing communities of Pandang-pandang. Groups that were selected were the case of group of retainer (Sawi), which are under the management of owners of capital (Parangka'), one group of the fisherman of palanra', one group for fisherman of pappekang, and one group for fisherman of parrengge. It is based on the fundamental assumptions that the three groups considered such cases represent each group of fishermen in the location of the research. The focus of this study is to describe and to find that the social structure is a determinant factor of poverty in fishing communities in Pandang-pandang. The technique of data collection was conducted through interviews and participatory observation. Data analysis was done with the reduction of data focused on the selection, simplification, abstraction and transformation of data from field notes, continued with the presentation of the data and conclusion. Research results explain that there are several causes of poverty at the fishing community in Pandang-pandang. They are the powerful influence of capitalism, inequality systems for results, lack of government policy, the limited marketing system, and uneven income distribution. In addition, it is also influenced by the strong bonds of patron-client and the emergence of the contractual ties. All causes are exploitative in the life of the fishing community.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p188