A Descriptive Analysis of Adolescent Girls Affected by Child Marriage: Empirical Evidence from Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46781/sx3q1625Keywords:
Adolescent Girls, Child Marriage, Child Protection, IndonesiaAbstract
Child marriage is widely recognized as a violation of children’s rights, yet adolescents in many rural areas remain highly vulnerable. Data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) in the 2024 “Indonesian Youth Statistics Report” indicate that 21.49% of young people in Indonesia marry at the age of 18 or younger, 18.55% marry within the 16–18 age group, while 2.39% marry before the age of 16. Despite extensive global research, limited empirical evidence exists on the lived experiences of adolescent girls in rural Indonesia, particularly in West Java. This study explores the experiences of adolescent girls impacted by child marriage in Sukaharja Village, Sariwangi, Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Using a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document review. Five purposively selected adolescent girls, all of whom had undergone unregistered religious marriages, served as key informants. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key patterns and insights. Findings indicate that child marriage is linked to socioeconomic vulnerability and low educational attainment, driven by premarital pregnancy, social shame, and customary sanctions. Consequences include school dropout, lack of formal certification, social withdrawal, and uncertain futures. Community perceptions varied, influenced by local customs, social media, and limited reproductive health education. These findings highlight the need for coordinated interventions, including dissemination of Law No. 16/2019, establishment of child protection forums, and development of child-friendly village initiatives, providing evidence-based strategies to protect adolescents in rural Indonesia.
References
Alex-Ojei, Christiana A, Clifford O Odimegwu, and Lorretta F C Ntoimo. “A Qualitative Investigation into Pregnancy Experiences and Maternal Healthcare Utilisation among Adolescent Mothers in Nigeria.” Reproductive Health 20, no. 1 (2023): 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-023-01613-z.
Alsadoun, Danah A, Haneen S Alotaibi, Amwaj I Alanazi, Leena A Almohsen, Njoud N Almarhoum, and Samira Mahboub. “Social Isolation among Adolescents and Its Association with Depression Symptoms.” Middle East Current Psychiatry 30, no. 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-023-00314-4.
Ananda, Selsa, Ulfah Fajarini, and Yusran Ilyas. “Analisis Penyebab Pernikahan Dini Pada Remaja Perempuan Di Desa Nangelasari Tasikmalaya (Studi Kasus : Desa Nangelasari Kec. Cipatujah).” UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, 2025.
Aso, Ribhan Abd M, Hilal Malarangan, and Sahran Raden. “Alasan Dispensasi Nikah Usia Dini (Studi Kasus Di Pengadilan Agama Palu ).” Familia Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 1, no. 2 (2020): 140–62. https://doi.org/10.24239/familia.v1i2.14.
Atqia, Muhamad Reza, Muhammad Ali Kandiyas, Muhamad Jauhari Abdu Rahman, and Moch Zahran Zain Almutawakkil. “Upaya Pencegahan Pernikahan Dini Melalui Seminar Pra-Nikah Se-Desa Cibeber Cikalong Tasikmalaya.” JOurnal of Community Dedication 4, no. 4 (2024). https://adisampublisher.org/index.php/pkm/article/view/858.
Ayuandini, Sherria, Marie Habito, Steven Ellis, Elissa Kennedy, Maki Akiyama, Gerda Binder, Sandeep Nanwani, et al. “Contemporary Pathways to Adolescent Pregnancy in Indonesia: A Qualitative Investigation with Adolescent Girls in West Java and Central Sulawesi.” PLOS Global Public Health 3, no. 10 (2023): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0001700.
Badrun, Alia, None Rikha Putri Nabila, and None Desy Hermayanti. “The Impact of Social Media on Reproductive Health Knowledge among Gen Z.” Journal of Global Research in Public Health 9, no. 2 (2024): 135–40. https://doi.org/10.30994/jgrph.v9i2.544.
Batyra, Ewa, and Luca Maria Pesando. “Trends in Child Marriage and New Evidence on the Selective Impact of Changes in Age-at-Marriage Laws on Early Marriage.” SSM - Population Health 14 (2021): 100811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100811.
Blake, Sharon, and Astrid Janssens. “Through ‘thick and Thin’’ as Long as It Is Healthy: Shared Meanings of Commitment in Long-Term Couple Relationships, Whether Married or Not.’” Journal of Family Studies 29, no. 2 (2021): 595–611. https://doi.org/10.1080/13229400.2021.1952889.
BPS. “Statistik Pemuda Indonesia 2024,” 2024. https://www.bps.go.id/id/publication/2024/12/31/b2dbaac4542352cea8794590/statistik-pemuda-indonesia-2024.html.
BPS, PUSKAPA, and UNICEF. “Prevention of Child Marriage: Acceleration That Cannot Wait,” 2020. https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/sites/unicef.org.indonesia/files/2020-06/Prevention-of-Child-Marriage-Report-2020.pdf.
Chan, Vivien, and Jennifer Derenne. Transition-Age Youth Mental Health Care, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62113-1.
Ciritel, Alexandra-Andreea. “Sexual Intimacy and Relationship Happiness in Living Apart Together, Cohabiting, and Married Relationships: Evidence from Britain.” Genus 78, no. 1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41118-022-00178-2.
Coast, Ernestina, Marie Merci Mwali, Roberte Isimbi, Ernest Ngabonzima, Paola Pereznieto, Serafina Buzby, Rebecca Dutton, and Sarah Baird. “‘If She’s Pregnant, Then That Means That Her Dreams Fade Away’: Exploring Experiences of Adolescent Pregnancy and Motherhood in Rwanda.” European Journal of Development Research 33, no. 5 (2021): 1274–1302. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-021-00438-5.
Delyka, Merry, Chrisdianti Yulita, and Putri Oktariani Valentina. “Hubungan Pendidikan Orang Tua Dan Pekerjaan Orang Tua Dengan Pengetahuan Remaja Puteri Tentang Pernikahan Dini Di Kelurahan Petuk Katimpun.” Jurnal Surya Medika 9, no. 3 (2023): 140–45. https://doi.org/10.33084/jsm.v9i3.6480.
Fan, Suiqiong, and Alissa Koski. “The Health Consequences of Child Marriage: A Systematic Review of the Evidence.” BMC Public Health 22, no. 1 (2022): 309. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12707-x.
Febrianty, Yenny, Fauzan Azima Faturachman, Maudy Anjani, Asmida Ahmad, and Viorizza Suciani Putri. “Integration of Customary Marriage Law into Positive Law as Justice in Social and Legal Context.” Pena Justisia Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum 24, no. 1 (2025): 1390–1410. https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v24i1.5891.
Fitria, Maya, Agung Dwi Laksono, Isyatun Mardhiyah Syahri, Ratna Dwi Wulandari, Ratu Matahari, and Yuly Astuti. “Education Role in Early Marriage Prevention: Evidence from Indonesia’s Rural Areas.” BMC Public Health 24, no. 1 (2024): 3323. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20775-4.
Flanagan, Ruth. “‘Nobody Ever Told You, “Actually, This Feels Great”’’: Religion Informed Sexual Health Education and Barriers to Developing Sexual Literacy.’” International Journal of Educational Research Open 7 (2024): 100343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100343.
Flick, Uwe. Handbook of Qualitative Data Analysis. SAGE Publications, 2014. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446282243.
Gayatri, Ratih Virta, Yu-Yun Hsu, and Elizabeth G Damato. “Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services among Adolescent Mothers in Indonesia.” Healthcare 11, no. 5 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050678.
Ilham, Yanuar, Irmawati Surahman, Faisal Reza, Nugraha Sugiarta, and Anggita Lestari. “Intrapersonal Communication about the Meaning of Early Marriage in Bandung City.” Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi 11, no. 1 (2023): 31. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkk.v11i1.43186.
Ipinnimo, Tope Michael, Olalekan Oladipupo Rosiji, Olumide Temitope Asake, Oluwafunmilayo Oluwadamilola Ibikunle, Motunrayo Temidayo Ipinnimo, and Toluwalope Motunrayo Asake. “Adolescent Sexuality Education, Sexual Debut, and Associated Factors in Nigerian Public Secondary Schools.” Scientific Reports 15, no. 1 (2025): 23249. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06360-8.
Iqbal, Muhammad, and Rabiah Rabiah. “Penafsiran Dispensasi Perkawinan Bagi Anak Di Bawah Umur (Analisis Beberapa Putusan Mahkamah Syar’iyah Aceh).” El-Usrah Jurnal Hukum Keluarga 3, no. 1 (2020): 101. https://doi.org/10.22373/ujhk.v3i1.7708.
Istyawan, Aryohaji. “Kemiskinan Perdesaan Dan Perkotaan: Sebuah Literature Review.” AKADEMIK: Jurnal Mahasiswa Humanis 5, no. 2 (May 2025): 973–986. https://doi.org/10.37481/jmh.v5i2.1365.
Kanji, Shireen, Fiona Carmichael, Christian Darko, Richmond Egyei, and Nicholas Vasilakos. “The Impact of Early Marriage on the Life Satisfaction, Education and Subjective Health of Young Women in India: A Longitudinal Analysis.” The Journal of Development Studies 60, no. 5 (2023): 705–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2023.2284678.
Kistiana, Sari, Desy Nuri Fajarningtiyas, and Yulina Eva Riany. “Assessing Child Marriage in Indonesia: A Call for Educational Empowerment.” Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat 20, no. 3 (2025): 512–22. https://doi.org/10.15294/kemas.v20i3.14145.
Kok, Maryse C, Tasneem Kakal, Abeje Berhanu Kassegne, Irwan M Hidayana, Alister Munthali, J Anitha Menon, Paulo Pires, Tabither Gitau, and Anke Van Der Kwaak. “Drivers of Child Marriage in Specific Settings of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia – Findings from the Yes I Do! Baseline Study.” BMC Public Health 23, no. 1 (2023): 794. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15697-6.
Kuther, Tara L. Child and Adolescent Development in Context. SAGE Publications, 2019.
Melnikas, Andrea, Grace Saul, Neelanjana Pandey, Mouhamadou Gueye, James Mkandawire, Aissa Diarra, and Sajeda Amin. “A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Child Marriage, Marriage Markets, and Marriageability.” African Journal of Reproductive Health 26 (2022): 78–87. https://doi.org/10.29063/ajrh2022/v26i12s.9.
Naimah, Farida Ulvi, Mauhibur Rokhman, Ali Usman Hali, Muhammad Anas Maarif, and Akhmad Sirojuddin. “Internalization of Local Traditions in Child Marriage from the Perspective of Maqasid Al-Usrah.” EL-Mashlahah 14, no. 2 (2024): 237–58. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v14i2.7942.
Newman, Barbara M, and Philip R Newman. Theories of Adolescent Development, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/c2017-0-03324-4.
Ohlsson‐Wijk, Sofi, Maria Brandén, and Ann‐Zofie Duvander. “Getting Married in a Highly Individualized Context: Commitment and Gender Equality Matter.” Journal of Marriage and the Family 84, no. 4 (2022): 1081–1104. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12849.
Oluseye, Ayomide, Philippa Waterhouse, and Lesley Hoggart. “‘I Have to Pretend That I Don’t Care’: Stigma Management among Unmarried Young Mothers in South-Western Nigeria.” Global Public Health 19, no. 1 (2023): 2291699. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2023.2291699.
Petcharamesree, Sriprapha. Birth Registration, Legal Identity and Impacts on Migration in ASEAN. IMISCOE Research Series, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25748-3{_}3.
Pourtaheri, Asma, Seyedeh Belin Tavakoly Sany, Monavvar Afzal Aghaee, Hamideh Ahangari, and Nooshin Peyman. “Prevalence and Factors Associated with Child Marriage, a Systematic Review.” BMC Women s Health 23, no. 1 (2023): 531. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02634-3.
Psaki, Stephanie R, Andrea J Melnikas, Eashita Haque, Grace Saul, Christina Misunas, Sangram K Patel, Thoai Ngo, and Sajeda Amin. “What Are the Drivers of Child Marriage? A Conceptual Framework to Guide Policies and Programs.” Journal of Adolescent Health 69, no. 6 (2021): S13--------S22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.001.
Putra, Muh. Yunan, and Mijratun Fitriani. “Dampak Perkawinan Di Bawah Umur Terhadap Keharmonisan Rumah Tangga.” SANGAJI Jurnal Pemikiran Syariah Dan Hukum, 2024, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.52266/sangaji.v8i1.2626.
Rasciute, Simona, Paul Downward, and Nick Simmons. “Valuation of Subjective Wellbeing and the Role of Marital Status: Linear versus Ordinal Estimators.” Economic Modelling 123 (2023): 106260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106260.
Raya-Diez, Esther, Cecilia Serrano-Martínez, Elena Domínguez San Pedro, and Pilar Montañés-Muro. “Risk Factors and Social Consequences of Early Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.” SAGE Open 14, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241271324.
Razali, Rodziana Mohamed, Tamara Joan Duraisingam, and Nessa Ni Xuan Lee. “Digitalisation of Birth Registration System in Malaysia: Boon or Bane for the Hard-to-Reach and Marginalised?” Journal of Migration and Health 6 (2022): 100137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100137.
Rustanto, Bambang. Penelitian Kualitatif Pekerjaan Sosial. PT Remaja Rosdakarya, 2015.
Ruzibiza, Yvette. “‘They Are a Shame to the Community …’’ Stigma, School Attendance, Solitude and Resilience among Pregnant Teenagers and Teenage Mothers in Mahama Refugee Camp, Rwanda.’” Global Public Health 16, no. 5 (2020): 763–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1751230.
Santrock, John W. Life-Span Development. McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.
Shaw, Ian, and Nick Gould. Qualitative Research in Social Work, 2001. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849209694.
Soemiyati. Hukum Perkawinan Islam Dan Undang-Undang Perkawinan. Liberty Yogyakarta, 2006.
Sugiyono. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D. Alfabeta, 2023.
Thahir, A Halil, and Nadlifatul Husna. “Upaya Pencegahan Meningkatnya Pernikahan Dini Di Masa Pandemi Covid-19: Studi Pendampingan Pengabdian Masyarakat Di Desa Ngetos Kabupaten Nganjuk.” Abdimas Indonesian Journal 1, no. 2 (2021): 113–31. https://doi.org/10.59525/aij.v1i2.77.
Thalib, Putri Aiman, and Pieter Everhardus Latumeten. “Legal Problems of Minor Marriage in the Perspective of Customary, Islamic, and Civil Law.” Asian Journal of Engineering Social and Health 4, no. 7 (2025): 1035–51. https://doi.org/10.46799/ajesh.v4i7.592.
UNICEF. “Child Marriage Interventions and Research from 2020 to 2022,” 2023. https://www.unicef.org/media/136646/file/CRANK-Evidence-Review-Child-Marriage-2023.pdf.
———. “Child Marriage Is a Violation of Human and Child Rights.,” 2023. https://www.unicef.org/rosa/what-we-do/child-protection/child-marriage.
Verity, Lily, Keming Yang, Rebecca Nowland, Aparna Shankar, Michelle Turnbull, and Pamela Qualter. “Loneliness from the Adolescent Perspective: A Qualitative Analysis of Conversations about Loneliness between Adolescents and Childline Counselors.” Journal of Adolescent Research 39, no. 5 (2022): 1413–43. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584221111121.
Webb, Lucy, David Kyaddondo, Teri Ford, Anna Bergqvist, and Nigel Cox. “Psychosocial Health in Adolescent Unmarried Motherhood in Rural Uganda: Implications for Community-Based Collaborative Mental Health Education, and Empowerment Strategies in the Prevention of Depression and Suicide.” Transcultural Psychiatry 60, no. 3 (2023): 537–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/13634615221147361.
World Bank. “The Persistent Challenge of Child Marriage: A Global Overview,” 2025. https://genderdata.worldbank.org/en/data-stories/child-marriage.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Bambang Rustanto, Tuti Kartika, Aryohaji Istyawan, Ayi Haryani, Pribowo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
