Sociocultural Construction and the Persistence of Child Marriage in Semarang, Indonesia

Tri Marhaeni Pudji Astuti, Mimi Hanida Abdul Mutalib, Dewi Liesnoor Setyowati, Saratri Wilonoyudho, Fajar Fajar

Abstract


Early marriage is a persistent problem that persists in various regions, such as Semarang, with a high number of cases. This article aims to examine the social construction of early marriage in Muslim community and its sociocultural impact. This research combines quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 75 participants from the Muslim community and 32 child marriage participants were surveyed and interviewed. Interviews were used to describe the statistical data. The data were analyzed using an interactive model. The research findings indicate that the social construct of early marriage in Muslim society, based on the belief that it is done to avoid sin and for religious reasons, has been proven unfounded. There has been a shift in perceptions where child marriage is increasingly seen as a personal family matter rather than a religious obligation. Participants often cited psychological factors, such as a desire to marry early, or premarital pregnancies, as the main motivations behind their decisions. The social impact of early marriage is that perpetrators of early marriage feel inferior when participating in social activities in their village. During routine meetings, perpetrators of early marriage tend to be quiet and never provide input or "contribute to discussions" at village activities. The implications of this study relate to the need for targeted interventions that not only address the individual motivations for child marriage but also the broader community perspectives that permit its persistence. Tackling both aspects can lead to more effective strategies in reducing child marriages.

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Keywords


Marriage; child marriage; anthropology; Muslim community; religion

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2025.2204.54

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