Early Marriage In Acehnese Teenagers In The City Of Lhokseumawe In 2014
Early Marriage in Acehnese Teenagers in the City of Lhokseumawe in 2014: A Critical Analysis
Early marriage is a significant issue among teenagers in Indonesia, particularly in the city of Lhokseumawe, Aceh. According to reports from the Indonesian Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2010 published by Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency), around 28.10% of teenagers married before reaching the age of 19 years, and they gave birth to the first child between ages 15 to 19 years. In Lhokseumawe, this figure is lower but still worrying, with 7.25% of teenagers married before the age of 18 years. This study aims to understand the factors that encourage early marriage among young women in the area.
Early marriage is a complex issue that involves various factors, including cultural, social, and economic aspects. In Aceh, the tradition of early marriage is deeply rooted in the local culture, where it is considered a norm for young women to get married at a young age. This tradition is often perpetuated by the community, where parents and relatives encourage young women to get married early to avoid social stigma and to ensure their family's reputation. However, this tradition has negative consequences, including early pregnancy, limited education, and economic instability.
This study employed a qualitative approach through an interpretive paradigm, which involved a case study of three young women who married young. The data obtained are grouped based on the characteristics and chronology that are relevant to the phenomenon of early marriage. The results showed that there were several factors contributing to the high number of early marriage in Lhokseumawe.
Factors Contributing to Early Marriage
Cultural Factors
The habit of local people who support the tradition of early marriage is one of the main causes of early marriage in Lhokseumawe. In Aceh, the tradition of early marriage is deeply rooted in the local culture, where it is considered a norm for young women to get married at a young age. This tradition is often perpetuated by the community, where parents and relatives encourage young women to get married early to avoid social stigma and to ensure their family's reputation.
Economic Factors
Young women who come out of school are often trapped in situations that encourage them to get married early. In Lhokseumawe, many young women drop out of school due to financial constraints, and they are often forced to get married early to support their families. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of job opportunities and limited access to education, which makes it difficult for young women to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
Social Factors
Fear to commit sin, such as committing adultery, and the belief that their life partner has been determined by destiny are also influential factors in early marriage. In some cases, premarital pregnancy is also a factor for the driving force of early marriage. In addition, the lack of knowledge about reproductive health exacerbates the situation, where adolescents do not fully understand the consequences of their actions.
The impact of early marriage is very diverse and often negative. Young couples who get married at a young age tend to have psychological problems, such as jealousy and high suspicion, caused by emotional immaturity. In terms of economic, families built usually experience instability due to low income and insufficient basic needs. In addition, high divorce rates among young couples are also a problem that must be faced.
To reduce the number of early marriage, it is essential for every teenager to get adequate education. The compulsory education program for 12 years is expected to provide the necessary knowledge and skills, so that the interest in getting married at a young age can be reduced. In addition, the socialization of reproductive health and the consequences of early marriage must also be increased. These steps are expected to help create a more supportive environment for adolescents to make better decisions about their future.
- Increase access to education: The government and local authorities should increase access to education, particularly for young women, to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their future.
- Socialization of reproductive health: The socialization of reproductive health and the consequences of early marriage should be increased to raise awareness among adolescents about the risks and consequences of early marriage.
- Community engagement: The community should be engaged in the effort to reduce early marriage, particularly in promoting the importance of education and reproductive health.
- Support for young couples: Support should be provided to young couples who get married early, particularly in terms of education and economic empowerment.
Future research should focus on the following areas:
- Longitudinal study: A longitudinal study should be conducted to track the outcomes of young couples who get married early and those who do not.
- Comparative study: A comparative study should be conducted to compare the outcomes of young couples who get married early in different regions and cultures.
- Intervention study: An intervention study should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing early marriage.
By understanding and overcoming the issue of early marriage, it is expected that Acehnese youth, especially in Lhokseumawe, can have a better opportunity to live a productive and healthy life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Early Marriage in Acehnese Teenagers in the City of Lhokseumawe in 2014
A: Early marriage is a marriage that takes place before the age of 18 years. In Aceh, early marriage is a common practice, where young women are often married off to older men to avoid social stigma and to ensure their family's reputation.
A: Early marriage is a problem because it can lead to early pregnancy, limited education, and economic instability. Young couples who get married at a young age tend to have psychological problems, such as jealousy and high suspicion, caused by emotional immaturity.
A: The factors that contribute to early marriage include cultural, economic, and social factors. In Aceh, the tradition of early marriage is deeply rooted in the local culture, where it is considered a norm for young women to get married at a young age. Young women who come out of school are often trapped in situations that encourage them to get married early. Fear to commit sin, such as committing adultery, and the belief that their life partner has been determined by destiny are also influential factors in early marriage.
A: The consequences of early marriage include early pregnancy, limited education, and economic instability. Young couples who get married at a young age tend to have psychological problems, such as jealousy and high suspicion, caused by emotional immaturity. In terms of economic, families built usually experience instability due to low income and insufficient basic needs.
A: Early marriage can be prevented by increasing access to education, particularly for young women. The socialization of reproductive health and the consequences of early marriage should also be increased to raise awareness among adolescents about the risks and consequences of early marriage. Community engagement is also essential in promoting the importance of education and reproductive health.
A: Support is available for young couples who get married early, particularly in terms of education and economic empowerment. The government and local authorities should provide support to young couples who get married early, including access to education and economic opportunities.
A: Future research should focus on the following areas:
- Longitudinal study: A longitudinal study should be conducted to track the outcomes of young couples who get married early and those who do not.
- Comparative study: A comparative study should be conducted to compare the outcomes of young couples who get married early in different regions and cultures.
- Intervention study: An intervention study should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing early marriage.
A: Individuals can prevent early marriage by promoting the importance of education and reproductive health. They can also support organizations that work to prevent early marriage and provide support to young couples who get married early.
A: Communities can prevent early marriage by promoting the importance of education and reproductive health. They can also engage in community-based initiatives to prevent early marriage and provide support to young couples who get married early.
A: Governments can prevent early marriage by increasing access to education, particularly for young women. They can also provide support to young couples who get married early, including access to education and economic opportunities. Governments can also engage in policy initiatives to prevent early marriage and provide support to young couples who get married early.