The problem of social phenomenon of married at a young age is one of the many happened phenomena in some countries, one of them is Indonesia. An early marriage are often performed by boy an girl before reaching the age of 18. Many cases of an early marriages in Indonesia that is attract special attention.
There are who oppose an early marriages, especially the Indonesian government itself. However, there are still many who believe that an early marriage is a natural thing to happen, this is like a culture. I believe that an early marriage should not exist in Indonesia, because marriage is not only based on mutual liking but commitment, actually an early marriage has some a negative effect on couple, and is one form of human rights violation.
Early marriage can be caused both from within and by one’s surroundings. Some of them marry at a young age because they love each other, and want to have without thinking about the maturity of the couple. Even though marriage is about the commitment made. A commitment in marriage is a decision made by the couple to explain the reason why they are involved in the relationship consistently.
In addition, in marriage commitment is one of the most important aspects of explaining the tenacity to unite, understand each other, help each other when entering difficult times, and support each other.
Theonata (2022) argues that the longer a person commits, the greater the value of the profit. For example, for individuals who like family peace and togetherness, it is certain that losing both of these things will be a severe consequence. This would certainly encourage individuals to remain committed and seek resolution in marriage. Then, has this been considered by those who have had a marriage at a young age?
Some parents in Indonesia consider marrying at a young age to be the best decision to solve problems, both economic problems, and others. If that’s what they think it’s a solution, but it may not be for the child who is through.
Marriage done at a young age must be a very serious problem because it has various risks or negatively affects couples.
Psychological problems such as mental disorders often occur in couples who decide to marry at a young age. Common mental disorders include depression, anxiety, psychological trauma, and others. In addition to mental disorders, the negative effect of early marriage is that it can cause various health problems.
Herti (2020) argues that the negative effects of early marriage on maternal health include miscarriage, bleeding, premature birth, and maternal death. Early marriage also had negative effects on economic and social aspects.
In couples who an early married, I believe that some of their levels of education are inadequate. It is the limits of education that make employment access to them scarce. Such things can make economic conditions for couples who get married early in life difficult to enhance.
In some parts of Indonesia city, marriage at a young age is a common occurrence. Some even think of it as a culture. Whereas, that is the wrong statement. When associated with the modern age such as today, premature marriage is a form of child violation.
In a sense, then, premature marriage is a violation of human rights. In coping with this, governments may be able to set minimum ages for marital marriages, conduct comprehensive sex education, encourage gender equality, and provide more religious education.
In conclusion, most people in this country believe that an early marriage based on the mutual liking, and is a natural thing to happen. However, I was totally opposed to their ideas that such an idea was incompatible with the current reality of the modern era right now. Marriage is a commitment.
Marriage performed by teenagers are bound to have negative effects, and they are a form of human rights violations. Therefore, in order to avoid that, a solution must be offered to reduce the number of an early marriages in Indonesia.
Writer: Tri Isnaeni
Student College of Ahmad Dahlan University
References
Teonata, Amanda. (2022). Center for Marriage and Family. Surabaya: Universitas Ciputra.
Puspasari, H. W. (2020). Masalah Kesehatan Ibu dan Anak Pada Pernikahan Usia Dini di
Beberapa Etnis Indonesia; Dampak dan Pencegahannya. Surabaya: Bulletin of Health
Systems Research.
