THE SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF JRC COMMUNITY AS A SPACE FOR RECREATION AND SOCIAL INTERACTION IN URBAN AREAS: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE JAKARTA RC RALLY COMMUNITY
Abstract
Urbanization has reduced opportunities for informal social interaction, making hobby communities increasingly important as alternative spaces for recreation and social engagement. This study aims to analyze the social functions of the Jakarta RC Rally Community (JRC) as a remote control car community in urban areas using Malinowski's functionalist perspective. A qualitative ethnographic approach was employed through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the community's social functions. The findings indicate that JRC serves not only as a recreational space but also as a medium for strengthening social interaction, solidarity, mutual trust, and the exchange of knowledge and technical skills among members. The community also fosters a collective identity that encourages long-term participation and social cohesion. These findings demonstrate that hobby communities function as cultural institutions that fulfill both individual and collective social needs in urban society. This study contributes to urban anthropology by extending the application of Malinowski's functionalism to contemporary hobby communities and highlights the role of community-based recreational activities in strengthening social relationships within metropolitan environments.
Keywords: ethnography; functionalism; hobby community; remote control car community; social interaction; urban recreation.
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