Peer-reviewed article
A Descriptive Analysis of Adolescent Girls Affected by Child Marriage: Empirical Evidence from Tasikmalaya, Indonesia
Bambang Rustanto, Tuti Kartika, Aryohaji Istyawan, Ayi Haryani, Pribowo Pribowo ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines the experiences of five adolescent girls affected by child marriage in a rural village in West Java, Indonesia. The research found that child marriage is driven by socioeconomic vulnerability, premarital pregnancy, and social shame, with serious consequences including school dropout and social withdrawal. The study documents how community perceptions of child marriage are shaped by local customs and limited reproductive health education. The findings call for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and community-based interventions to protect vulnerable adolescents in rural Indonesia.
Key points
- 21.49% of young people in Indonesia marry at age 18 or younger, with 2.39% marrying before age 16
- Child marriage is linked to socioeconomic vulnerability, premarital pregnancy, social shame, and customary sanctions
- Consequences include school dropout, lack of formal certification, social withdrawal, and uncertain futures
- Community perceptions of child marriage are influenced by local customs, social media, and limited reproductive health education
- Recommended interventions include dissemination of child protection laws, establishment of child protection forums, and child-friendly village initiatives
Limitations
This is a small qualitative study with only five purposively selected participants from one rural village, so findings cannot be generalized to all adolescent girls affected by child marriage in Indonesia or other contexts. The study describes experiences and contextual factors but does not evaluate an intervention or track outcomes over time.
Abstract
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.