By: Putri Utami Aulia

(4th Semester Student of Sociology at FISIP UIN Jakarta)

Early marriage is a social phenomenon that is still very common in Indonesia and is a complex issue in the context of law, health, and social development. Early marriage can be defined as a marriage under the age of 18 years old. In Indonesia, the rules regarding the age limit of marriage have changed in line with legal developments and awareness of children's rights. Previously, Law No. 1/1974 on Marriage stipulated that the minimum age of marriage was 19 years old for men and 16 years old for women. However, with the amendment through Law Number 16 of 2019, the marriage age limit for men and women was equalized to 19 years old.

Although this regulation has been updated, the practice of early marriage still occurs frequently in various regions. One factor that allows deviations from this regulation is the existence of a marriage dispensation mechanism that can be submitted to the Religious Court or District Court. Data shows that the number of marriage dispensation applications continues to increase, reflecting that early marriage is still an unresolved social problem.

This phenomenon has a multidimensional impact, especially on children's rights, such as the right to education, health and protection from violence. Girls who marry at an early age often experience limited access to education, are vulnerable to domestic violence, and are at risk of various health complications, including high maternal and infant mortality rates and increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. From a social perspective, early marriage can impact on family and community stability and perpetuate the intergenerational cycle of poverty.

Based on these problems, this paper will further examine the impact of early marriage on the individuals concerned, the factors that cause early marriage, and how this phenomenon can be analyzed through Robert K. Merton's Structural Functionalism perspective.

Robert K. Merton's Structural Functionalism Theory

Structural Functionalism Theory developed by Robert K. Merton is an approach in sociology that emphasizes how various elements in a society interact and contribute to the sustainability of the social system. Different from the more macro approach of classical functionalism, Merton developed a mid-level functionalism theory, which is more specific and measurable and can be tested through empirical research.

In this theory, there are several key concepts used to analyze social phenomena. One of the key concepts is function, which is the positive and planned consequence of a social action that contributes to the balance of the social system. Conversely, there are also dysfunctions, which are negative consequences that destabilize society. This dysfunction can be latent, which is a negative impact that is unintentional or unconscious by individuals or social groups.

In addition, Merton distinguishes between manifest and latent functions. Manifest functions refer to the conscious and intended consequences of a social action, while latent functions refer to the unrecognized or unintended but nonetheless occurring effects in society. In understanding social dynamics, Merton also highlights the difference between motives and consequences. Motives refer to an individual's reasons for taking an action, while consequences refer to the impact that the action has, both directly and indirectly, and in the short and long term.

This theory helps in analyzing how social structures, such as norms, values and institutions, influence social phenomena, including early marriage. The mid-level functionalist approach introduced by Merton allows for a more specific analysis of how various factors, such as education and economics, play a role in shaping individual and societal decisions regarding early marriage. In addition, this theory also allows for the evaluation of social policies and programs, such as education and reproductive health programs, in addressing early marriage and its impacts.

Through these concepts, Merton's structural functionalism theory not only provides an understanding of how a social action can have various impacts, both expected and unintended, but also provides an analytical framework to evaluate various social phenomena more systematically.

The Impact of Early Marriage on the Individual

In some societies, early marriage is often seen as a way to avoid promiscuous sexual behavior and as a strategy to avoid having young children in old age. However, beyond these reasons, early marriage has significant impacts, both for the individuals who undergo it and for the social environment around them.

Impact on Physical and Mental Health

Early marriage, especially for women, poses a risk of various health problems. Women who marry and become pregnant at a young age have a higher chance of experiencing pregnancy complications, including the risk of death during childbirth. This is due to their immature physical condition to undergo pregnancy and childbirth. In addition, women who marry young are more prone to premature birth, as well as giving birth to low birth weight babies, which can have an impact on the long-term health of the child. Lack of education on reproductive health also increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections for both women and men who marry young.

In terms of mental health, early marriage can trigger various psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety and severe stress. Emotional immaturity often makes it difficult for individuals who marry early to care for their children, so in many cases, their parents help with childcare. In addition, the pressure to assume the role of a married couple and household responsibilities at a young age can be a heavy psychological burden. Early married couples are also more prone to domestic conflicts that lead to physical and emotional abuse, mainly due to emotional instability and lack of healthy conflict resolution skills.

Social and Economic Impacts

Early marriage not only has health impacts, but also has significant social and economic consequences. One of the main impacts is limited access to education. Both men and women who marry at an early age are often forced to abandon formal education, losing the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that can support their future. As a result, they are less likely to find decent work, which in turn worsens their family's economic situation.

In addition, early marriage can also lead to social isolation. A man who marries early must immediately take on the economic burden of earning a living, which can limit his social interactions with peers. Similarly, women who marry early often have to take care of the household and children, losing the opportunity to socialize and enjoy youth with their peers. This emotional and social immaturity can have long-term impacts on individual well-being and the stability of the households they build.

Overall, early marriage carries a range of consequences that not only affect individuals physically and mentally, but also impact their social and economic aspects in the long run.

Factors Causing Early Marriage

The phenomenon of early marriage does not occur without cause, but is influenced by various factors behind it. These factors can come from the individual themselves as well as from the wider social environment. In general, the causes of early marriage can be categorized into internal factors and external factors.

Internal Factors

One of the internal factors that encourage early marriage is the individual's desire to marry at a young age. Some adolescents feel that they are physically and mentally ready for marriage, despite the fact that this readiness is often based on subjective perceptions without careful consideration. This motivation can be triggered by various things, such as exposure to mass media, movies, or other digital content that portrays marriage as ideal and romantic. In addition, there is also the assumption that getting married at a young age can provide certain benefits, such as avoiding promiscuity or preventing adultery.

In addition to psychological and cultural factors, another internal factor is a condition known as married by incident, which is a marriage that occurs as a result of pregnancy outside of marriage. In many cases, individuals who experience an unplanned pregnancy choose to marry in order to maintain family honor and avoid social stigma.

External Factors

Beyond individual factors, early marriage is also heavily influenced by external pressures, especially from the family and social environment. In some communities, parents play a dominant role in their children's marriage decisions, both for economic and cultural reasons. Early marriage is often seen as a strategy to improve family welfare, with the expectation that married children can help reduce the economic burden or earn a more stable living.

In addition, the social environment also plays a role in influencing the decision to marry at a young age. The increasingly open dating style of teenagers, the influence of technology, and shifting cultural values are factors that accelerate the occurrence of early marriage. Social media and the development of information technology often shape teenagers' mindset about marriage, where they are more easily influenced by trends or norms that develop in their community.

Robert K. Merton's Structural Functionalism Approach in Analyzing Early Marriage

The structural functionalism approach developed by Robert K. Merton provides a systematic analytical framework in understanding the phenomenon of early marriage. In this theory, there are concepts of manifest functions and latent functions, which can be used to examine the impact of early marriage at both the individual and societal levels.

Manifest and Latent Functions

In the context of early marriage, manifest functions refer to the conscious and expected consequences of a society that supports this practice. Some of the reasons that are often put forward to justify early marriage include avoiding free sexual behavior, strengthening family solidarity, and improving or maintaining family economic conditions.

On the other hand, the latent functions of early marriage include consequences that are not realized or intended. One obvious example is the change in legal regulations regarding the age of marriage in Indonesia. Initially, the reform of the Marriage Law aimed to limit early marriage by raising the minimum age of marriage and tightening the requirements for marriage dispensation. However, this policy unexpectedly led to an increase in the number of marriage dispensation cases in religious courts. In addition, in certain communities, early marriage is also considered a solution to out-of-wedlock pregnancies, although the consequences can be negative for individuals who marry at a young age.

Meso and Macro Approaches to Analyzing Early Marriage

The structural functionalism approach also allows for the analysis of early marriage from two levels: meso and macro. At the meso level, the theory helps understand how early marriage directly impacts individuals and families, such as changes in household roles, social pressures, and psychological and health consequences. Meanwhile, at the macro level, the theory highlights how early marriage affects broader social structures, including birth rates, maternal mortality rates, and women's participation in the workforce.

Moreover, from the meso perspective, early marriage can serve different functions depending on the social context. For some families, early marriage may be seen as a way to create economic stability and security. However, for individuals who undergo marriage at a young age, the consequences can actually be a heavy burden, from psychological, economic, and social aspects.

Motives and Consequences in Early Marriage

Merton also highlighted the relationship between motives and consequences in social action. In the case of early marriage, the motives behind the decision to marry young are often related to the desire to maintain the family's good name or the consequences of pregnancy outside of marriage. However, the consequences of such decisions are not always in line with initial expectations. Many individuals who marry at a young age experience various challenges, such as physical and mental health problems, problems in the reproductive system, and the risk of domestic violence due to emotional and economic unpreparedness to build a family.

Through Robert K. Merton's structural functionalism approach, the phenomenon of early marriage can be understood as a social practice that has functions and dysfunctions in various aspects of community life. This theory provides in-depth insights into how social structures, norms and cultural values influence the occurrence of early marriage and the impact it has on individuals and the social system as a whole.

Conclusion

Early marriage remains a complex social issue in Indonesia, despite tightened regulations. The practice has health, social and economic impacts on individuals and communities. Health risks include pregnancy complications, maternal mortality and mental disorders. Socially, early marriage limits access to education and employment opportunities, while economically it increases financial dependency and the cycle of poverty. The main contributing factors are out-of-wedlock pregnancy, cultural pressure and media influence. Through Robert K. Merton's Structural Functionalism perspective, early marriage can be analyzed in micro and macro contexts, revealing its social functions and dysfunctions. This understanding is important for designing more effective policies to tackle early marriage.(tries)

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