Supporting Factors and Consequences of Child Marriage

Abstract

This study aims to give an overview of the causes and consequences of child marriage by qualitative research using in-depth interview techniques. Participants were eight girls who married during their childhood and live in Java, Indonesia. Interviews were analyzed by using content analysis techniques. The results show that underlying factors causing child marriage, include the following: (1) unwanted pregnancy; (2) the influence of parents and the surrounding environment for fear of slander and unwanted things; (3) education; and (4) economy. The consequences of child marriage include: (1) dicontinuation of education; (2) economic instability; (3) violation of law, age falsification, unregistered marriage, difficulties in obtaining birth certificates; (4) deprivation of children's liberty and autonomy; (5) psychological problems; (6) violence; and (7) health problems especially in girls.

Tick tick boom: The rise of child marriage in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…These rising percentages might be associated with the province's percentage of poverty where the total poor population percentages in Papua Barat (rank 2 of 34 provinces) and DI Aceh (rank 6) were 21% and 15% in 2020and increased to 22% and 16% in 2021, respectively (Badan Pusat Statistik-Statistics Indonesia, 2022. This association between poverty and child marriage was highlighted in previous studies, which poverty could obstruct access to education, health services, and sexual health rights of reproductive health (Girls Not Brides, 2022;Iustitiani & Ajisuksmo, 2018;Laksono, Wulandari, & Matahari, 2021;Rahiem, 2021;Sumner, 2020). However, these associations between child marriage in Indonesia during the pandemic and socio-economic factors warrant further investigation.…”

“…The first attempt to rise the bride's age was attempted in 2015 but the petition for judicial review was rejected were the only dissenting opinion among nine justices coming from the sole female judge (Barr, 2015;Beta & Febrianto, 2020;Girls Not Brides, 2022;Grijns & Horii, 2018). It could also emphasise the statement that child marriage is like an iceberg phenomenon, in which the registered numbers were representing only 3-8% of the child marriage reality while the rest of the cases were hidden through religious marriage (Sirri) or date of birth falsification to rise the child's age (Colquhoun & Nilan, 2020;Grijns & Horii, 2018;Iustitiani & Ajisuksmo, 2018;Kelompok Kerja Perempuan dan Anak Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia, 2020;Sumner, 2020).…”

“…Besides socio-economic factors, psycho-cultural factors were also found to contribute to child marriage dispensation applications in Indonesia that parents were worried if their daughters would do pre-marital sexual intercourse with the boys. In particular, parents were worrying that during the lockdown online intimacy could be done easily by their daughters through gadgets and internet and these behaviours will be badmouthed by their neighbours (Handayani, Nuraini, & Agustiya, 2021;Iustitiani & Ajisuksmo, 2018;Kasjim, 2016). This fear of children would do zinah through digital technology was also found as one of the reasons for Syrian refugee parents in Jordan to marry their children, especially girls, before leaving the home country or as soon as when arrive at the host country (Al Akash & Chalmiers, 2021).…”

“…There were some efforts for reducing and preventing child marriage in Indonesia. For example, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1990 and ratified as a law of the Protection of the Children Rights in 2002 then amended later in 2014 (Beta & Febrianto, 2020;Iustitiani & Ajisuksmo, 2018;Kasjim, 2016). Furthermore, after 45 years, the Marriage Law 1974 was revised in 2019 by increasing the age of first marriage to at least 19 years for both boys and girls, which previously was 19 for boys and 16 for girls (Girls Not Brides, 2022;Grijns & Horii, 2018).…”

Kelas Motivasi Pendidikan Untuk Mencegah Pernikahan Dini Pada Remaja Di Desa Pilangsari

“…Pernikahan dini dipengaruhi berbagai faktor yang dapat bersifat struktural maupun yang berasal dari komunitas, keluarga, maupun kapasitas individual (Badan Pusat Statistik 2020). Berdasarkan penelitian yang dilakukan di Indonesia, pernikahan dini dipengaruhi oleh pendidikan, kondisi ekonomi dan paparan media (Rumble et al 2018), kehamilan tidak diinginkan dan pengaruh dari orang sekitar (Iustitiani 2018). Pendidikan mempengaruhi kejadian pernikahan dini, perempuan yang menikah pada usia sangat muda cenderung memiliki tingkat pendidikan lebih rendah dibandingkan dengan perempuan yang menikah usia dewasa (Badan Pusat Statistik 2020).…”