DI BALIK PERNIKAHAN USIA MUDA: INTERAKSI KERENTANAN EKONOMI, KEHAMILAN PRANIKAH, DAN KEPUTUSAN KELUARGA DI WILAYAH PERDESAAN KEPULAUAN

Abstrak

This study examines early marriage by positioning economic vulnerability, premarital pregnancy, and family decision-making as interconnected dimensions within the context of rural communities in the Sula Islands. It aims to address how economic conditions and premarital pregnancy contribute to early marriage, how families are involved in marriage-related decision-making, and how young couples experience life after marriage. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive design in Waitina Village, East Mangoli District, Sula Islands Regency. Six informants who married between the ages of 15 and 18, comprising four women and two men, were selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed descriptively by grouping information according to the study focus and emerging categories and by comparing experiences across informants. The findings show that four of the six informants married in connection with premarital pregnancy, while two married due to family economic circumstances. Families played an important role in marriage decisions, particularly following pregnancy. After marriage, informants experienced difficulties in household adjustment, marital conflict, limited employment opportunities, economic pressures, and efforts to achieve independence. These findings demonstrate that early marriage is a multidimensional phenomenon linking premarital vulnerability, family decision-making, and post-marital challenges, indicating that prevention efforts should integrate adolescent and family education, educational continuity, marriage preparedness, and expanded economic opportunities.