Repositioning Masculinity to Realize Gender Equality in Child

Marriage Families

Ali Imron

1 a

, Tarissa Aditya Berlin Sunyoto

1 b

, Ardha Wildan Zulfa

1 c

Dhemes Afifa Nugrahani

1 d

and Ardania

1 e

Department of Social Science Education, Surabaya State University, Ketintang, Surabaya, Indonesia

Keywords: Gender Equality, Masculinity, Family, Child Marriage.

Abstract: This research is motivated by the fact that although there has been a change in Law Number 1 of 1974

concerning Marriage to Law Number 16 of 2019, Article 7 paragraph (1) was carried out to minimize child

marriage as a form of gender equality. However, in fact the phenomenon of marriage dispensation is actually

increasing. This research aims to describe men's efforts to realize the repositioning of masculinity and

strategies for realizing gender equality in child marriage families so that gender inequality does not occur.

This research uses a qualitative method with a case study approach to obtain primary and secondary data. The

results of the research show that there are still many people in Sucopangepok Village who practice child

marriage. Factors that influence the practice of child marriage include customs, economics, parents and

education. The fair distribution of roles in the household between men and women influences society's

perception of gender roles, thereby positioning women to always be in the domestic sector. Society is also

still influenced by patriarchal norms where men are more dominant in decision making, but some men are

starting to support gender equality by providing space for women to be involved in a fair division of household

work without discrimination or violence.

1 INTRODUCTION

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global

development program that has a vision of increasing

economic prosperity in a sustainable manner,

maintaining the sustainability of social life, protecting

the quality of the environment, meeting people's

living needs, as well as improving and ensuring the

implementation of governance based on improving

the quality of the next generation (Larashati, 2022).

The SDGs contain 17 goals and 169 indicators,

balancing 4 pillars, namely the economic pillar, social

pillar, environmental pillar and governance pillar. In

the social pillar, one of the goals is to achieve gender

equality and women's empowerment in accordance

with goal point 5. Gender equality is a goal and

prerequisite for sustainable and peaceful

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development. Gender equality is achieved when

women, men, girls and boys have the same rights,

conditions and opportunities, as well as the power to

shape their lives and contribute to the development of

society (Munasaroh, 2022). Gender-based

discrimination and inequality are still clearly visible

in Indonesia with the practice of child marriage. The

stigma that men have greater opportunities in all areas

of development and social life than women, who are

only considered important in the domestic

environment [3]. Gender inequality places men in

more power and dominance than women, thus

causing women to be oppressed and exploited.

Gender differences occur due to social boundaries

and patriarchal norms and traditions. Gender

inequality disproportionately affects men and women

in various fields, both in the private and public

262

Imron, A., Sunyoto, T. A. B., Zulfa, A. W., Nugrahani, D. A. and Ardania,

Repositioning Masculinity to Realize Gender Equality in Child Marriage Families.

DOI: 10.5220/0013414400004654

In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Humanities Education, Law, and Social Science (ICHELS 2024), pages 262-266

ISBN: 978-989-758-752-8

spheres (Miswoni, 2016). In sub-3, goal 5 of the

SDGs is about “eliminating all harmful practices,

such as child marriage, early and forced marriage and

female circumcision” (Lima & Guedes, 2024).

Changes to Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning

Marriage to Number 16 of 2019, Article 7 paragraph

(1) states that "Marriage is only if the man and woman

have reached the age of 19 years" (Yudianingsih et

al., 2022). The implementation of Law Number 16 of

2019 which regulates the change in the marriage age

limit to 19 years for men and women still needs

improvement, especially in the law enforcement

mechanism. The recommendations that the

government needs to pay attention to include

allocating special funds for programs that support

girls' education, family empowerment and

community awareness campaigns; designing

derivative policies at the regional level to support the

implementation of the law, such as regional

regulations regarding the prohibition of child

marriage; establishing a monitoring mechanism for

marriage dispensations is only carried out in very

urgent conditions; as well as ensuring reporting

channels for the public who find violations of the

marriage age limit and taking firm action against

perpetrators of violations. This research is

strengthened by the study of Yoshida, et al [7], which

examines the effectiveness of implementing SDGs

goal 5 as a form of Indonesia's efforts to reduce cases

of child marriage.

This change aims to minimize child marriage as a

form of gender equality, but in fact the number of

applications for marriage dispensation has actually

increased. Data from the Central Statistics Agency

(BPS) reveals that the rate of child marriage in

Indonesia fell from 10.82% to 10.18% in 2019-2020,

but is still relatively high. The percentage of child

marriages in rural areas reaches 15.24% and 6.82%

compared to urban areas. According to data from the

2020 National Socio-Economic Survey (SUSENAS),

East Java has the third highest rate of child marriage

in Indonesia with 10.85% of the total 64,211 cases.

(Rahmalia et al., 2023). Factors that cause child

marriage include economics, arranged marriages,

society's mindset, perpetuating relationships, and

pregnancy out of wedlock. .(Lima & Guedes, 2024).

Child marriage has a bigger and more dangerous

impact because it puts babies at risk of stunting. The

tendency is that the younger the mother's age at

marriage, the higher the percentage of children

experiencing stunting. Child marriage has negative

impacts such as exploding birth rates and increasing

miscarriage rates (Fauziah et al., 2023). Pregnant

women who marry at the age of 15-19 years have a

high risk of miscarriage and death during childbirth,

the risk to mother and child is two times higher. Apart

from that, there is also a risk of birth complications,

such as obstetric fistula, infection, anemia, bleeding

and eclampsia. Mothers who give birth before they

are old enough have an impact on babies who are born

prematurely and are malnourished.

Child marriage is a serious problem that not only

occurs in Sucopangepok Village, but also in other

areas. In Kalimantan, for example, child marriage is

actually influenced by local customary factors which

consider child marriage to be a mechanism for

maintaining family honor. Customary factors also

greatly influence child marriage practices in NTT and

NTB, especially regarding dowries which are

regulated by local customs. Child marriage causes a

higher risk of divorce because they are less than 19

years old and have maturity of thinking, are not yet

emotionally stable, and are still not used to dealing

with household problems. This condition can lead to

domestic violence and more divorces (Fadilah, 2021).

This creates problems for psychological well-being

and personality development (Angkasa, 2021). In

addition, research shows that poverty can be like a

vicious circle for young couples, especially those who

marry at an early age. Children from poor families

often marry young due to lack of education, and they

become a burden on the family. As a result, this

poverty continues from one generation to the next

(Imron et al., 2022). Several previous research results,

for example the study of Rahmalia, et al (Rahmalia et

al., 2023) which analyzes the impact of an increase in

the number of child marriages which is very

detrimental. Meanwhile, the study by Yudianingsih,

et al .(Lima & Guedes, 2024) which focuses on the

problems that exist in early marriage to achieve the

SDGs goals of gender equality and empowering all

women and girls. Therefore, this research aims to

describe men's efforts to realize the repositioning of

masculinity and the strategies used to achieve gender

equality in child marriage families so that gender

inequality does not occur.

2 METHOD

This research uses a qualitative method with a case

study approach. This research took place in

Sucopangepok Village, Jember Regency, East Java.

The research implementation began with a field

survey using interview techniques with sources from

BKKBN, RT Heads, Village Heads, and the

surrounding community. Research subjects were

selected purposively based on criteria, including

Repositioning Masculinity to Realize Gender Equality in Child Marriage Families

263

understanding the phenomenon of child marriage in

Sucopangepok Village. The selection of research

subjects also considered gender proportions to avoid

gender bias. Apart from that, there are also

observations to see directly how people in areas that

have high levels of child marriage feel the impact and

families who experience child marriage can

overcome the problems and impacts that arise due to

child marriage and gender inequality. The data

findings were then analyzed using Miles and

Huberman's interactive analysis technique.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Jember Regency borders Probolinggo Regency and

Bondowoso Regency. Sucopangepok Village is

located at the foot of the slopes of Mount Argopuro,

which is quite far from the city center. Sucopangepok

Village is located in a hilly area at an altitude of 700

meters above sea level with temperatures between 23-

330C and fertile soil conditions so it is very suitable

for productive agricultural land. The people of

Sucopangepok village have a homogenous livelihood

as tobacco farmers. The geographical condition of

Sucopangepok Village, which is located in the hills,

encourages the community to make the agricultural

sector their main livelihood. The level of economic

prosperity of not all Sucopangepok Village residents

is classified as upper middle class. There are several

communities in certain neighborhoods that have a low

economic level, the majority of the workforce is filled

by men with physical work. Based on these

circumstances, we want to see the repositioning of

masculinity and family gender relations in

Sucopangepok Village.

Child marriage can have a negative impact on

psychological life, such as frequent arguments and

violence in the household, difficulty in adapting to

change, unstable emotions when facing family

conflicts, difficulty in carrying double burdens, and

depression in mothers. Research in East Java found

that young women aged 15-24 years at first marriage

tend to choose to marry older men. As many as 18.1%

of middle-aged couples are in the age range of 45-49

years. As many as 16% of middle-aged couples are in

the age range of 45-49 years. 40-44 years old.

Meanwhile, at the age of 35-39 years, 16.9% of

couples are in that range. One of them is the cultural

belief that is deeply rooted in society that women

should marry men who are older and have financial

stability. However, society tends to give negative

assessments. in women who marry younger men

(Imron et al., 2020).

On the other hand, the problem faced by the

community in Sucopangepok Village is very

prominent, namely child marriage where many girls

marry at an immature and mature age. Child marriage

has been practiced for generations since ancient

times. The lack of public understanding of marriage

causes child marriage to occur and is very difficult to

prevent (Mufid & Nail, 2021). In Sucopangepok

Village, many girls marry at an immature and mature

age, with the average being married at the age of 19

years.

The factors that encourage child marriage in

Sucopangepok Village are customary factors. Child

marriage has been carried out for generations,

especially among girls who have entered puberty. The

people of Sucopangepok Village think that if they

don't get married immediately, they could become

spinsters even though they are still underage

(Musfianawati, 2022). Second, economic factors,

where families who are economically disadvantaged

marry off their children at a young age so that they

can reduce the family's economic burden.

Sucopangepok Village is located in the mountains,

the majority of people work as farmers, and most earn

their income from agricultural products, as said by

Irawati (23).

“…. Sebenarnaya dulu saya pengen sekali

melanjutkan sekolah ke SMA namun

karena perekonomian yang sulit, saya

disuruh orangtua untuk menikah. Umur

saya 19 tahun udah umurnya untuk

menikah. Di Desa Sucopangepok

perempuan yang belum menikah,

dikhawatirkan baru kawin ketika tua.

Ketika umur 19 tahun sudah waktunya

untuk menikah dari dulu“ (Primary Data,

2024).

Third, the educational factor, where the majority

of people in Sucopangepok Village are only junior

high school graduates. Lack of knowledge makes

them narrow-minded and think less about the future.

When parents see that their daughters have finished

school, they are asked to work to help their parents

and when they no longer have work and are busy they

choose to marry at the child's age. (Mufid & Nail,

2021). Child marriages in East Java have a low level

of education where 82.36% have secondary

education, 4.44% have low education, 0.14% have no

education and the remaining 13.07% have high

education. Meanwhile, their parents' education is

relatively low, namely 64.9%. So parents in Java

underestimate education as a result of the large

ICHELS 2024 - The International Conference on Humanities Education, Law, and Social Science

264

number of children being married off because the role

of parents is very crucial in planning for teenagers and

their families (Putri & Lestari, 2015). Fourth, parental

factors, where child marriage often occurs due to

arranged marriages by both parents. Parents who have

daughters will always be anxious to see their children

grow up without thinking about their age.

Education sector intervention as an effort to

prevent child marriage can be carried out through

various strategies, including providing scholarships

to children, especially women from disadvantaged

families, to continue their education up to high

school, integrating material on reproductive health,

sexuality and children's rights in the curriculum.

schools, providing alternative education programs

such as PKBM or equality classes (Packages A, B,

and C) for children who have dropped out of school,

especially girls, involving teachers to provide

guidance and assistance to students who experience

pressure to marry early, holding educational

campaigns to make students aware of the importance

of postponing marriage until old age mature, hold

regular meetings between schools and parents to

provide education about the importance of girls'

education and the risks of child marriage, strengthen

counseling in schools so that children can talk about

their problems, including pressure to marry early, and

increase access to schools in the area remote to reduce

geographical barriers for girls continuing their

education.

Child marriage is considered normal in the

Sucopangepok community, they consider it normal to

marry off girls at an early age. Child marriage has

various impacts. Women are often more vulnerable

to domestic violence or gender-based violence.

Where girls who marry at a young age do not have the

strength to fight strong patriarchal norms. Apart from

that, immature psychological conditions can lead to

divorce. A mother who marries when she is a child is

at risk of giving birth to a child who is stunted. Based

on the results of the Ministry of Health's Nutritional

Status Survey (SSGI) in 2022, the region with the

highest stunting rate is East Java, reaching 34.9%.

Sucopangepok Village is one of the villages with the

highest stunting rate category (Zham-Zham et al.,

2022).

The theory of gender equality in the Nurture

Theory equalizes the roles and duties of men and

women in quantity equality and fights for it.

Differences between men and women caused by

socio-cultural construction can make women left

behind and neglected in the family and society.

Nurture theory can be used to understand that the role

of masculinity is not natural, but the result of social

and cultural construction. Revising masculinity can

be done through changing behavior and social values

that apply in society. A balanced life can occur if men

and women divide their roles and tasks fairly

according to their respective abilities, starting with

sharing childcare, decision making, earning a living,

financial management and so on (Afifah et al., 2023).

Efforts for men to reposition masculinity are

carried out in terms of a fair division of roles in

household work between men and women and

continue to influence society's perception of gender

roles, thereby positioning women to always be in the

household (Afifah et al., 2023). In Sucopangepok

Village, the division of roles in family decision

making is decided by the husband as head of the

family by discussing with the wife to resolve

problems which are negotiated together. When

deliberating, give each other the opportunity to

express opinions and accept each other's suggestions.

However, the final decision is made by the husband.

This means that the husband positions his wife as a

partner in family decision making to discuss together.

As stated by Irawati (23) as follows.

“……Sejak menikah, saya tidak

diperbolehkan suami dan mertua saya

untuk bekerja karena anak saya yang

masih kecil berumur 2 tahun dan di rumah

saja mengurus anak. Suami saya bekerja

sebagai petani tembakau. Kalau suami

saya bekerja sebagai petani tembakau,

kalau dalam pengambilan keputusan sih

biasanya didiskusikan dulu,sampai

nemukan solusinya“. (Primary Data,

2024).

The role of division of labor in the household is

that the husband works to earn a living as the head of

the household while the wife is a housewife.

However, there are also some communities that allow

their wives to work. In Sucopangepok Village, the

majority of husbands work as tobacco farmers. In

terms of household work, husbands sometimes help

their wives clean the house, such as sweeping and

washing clothes. Meanwhile, the division of roles in

managing the husband's finances does not give his

income to the wife completely, most of it is held by

the wife and a small part is held by the wife.

Remembering that the wife makes the plans and

divides the income according to the needs that must

be met.

Meanwhile, in terms of sharing childcare, the

husband and wife work together to care for and

educate the children well. However, in terms of

Repositioning Masculinity to Realize Gender Equality in Child Marriage Families

265

parenting, the wife's role is very dominant because

wives spend more time with their children than

husbands who work in the public sector. Husbands

also play a role in supervising, providing advice and

looking after children when they come home from

work or when they are not busy. Therefore, it is very

important to realize gender equality for women and

men to prevent gender inequality by distributing roles

fairly so as to create a harmonious family. In addition,

synergy between local governments and NGOs is

very important to create a wider and more sustainable

impact on preventing child marriage. This

collaboration can be carried out through aligning

child marriage prevention programs, sharing data,

research and field experience to improve

implemented strategies, implementing joint

campaigns to emphasize the importance of children's

rights and gender equality.

4 CONCLUSIONS

Based on the discussion that has been presented, it

can be concluded that the repositioning of masculinity

and gender relations in Sucopangepok Village,

Jember Regency has quite a crucial problem, namely

the high rate of child marriage, where there are still

many women who marry under the age of 19 and do

not even have an ID card. Child marriage is

influenced by traditional, parental, economic and

educational factors. The people of Sucopangepok

Village have a homogeneous livelihood pattern as

tobacco farmers with economic conditions as farm

laborers who do not own fields. The practice of child

marriage in Sucopangepok Village is considered

normal so it can increase the risk of domestic violence

and stunting in children due to the lack of education

of young couples.

This research also shows that even though there is

a division of roles in family decision making,

husbands still dominate the final decisions, while

wives are more involved in raising children, financial

management is not entirely up to the wife after

interviews, husbands are also still involved in

household finances so as to achieve For better gender

equality, education is needed for changes in society's

perception of masculinity and a fair distribution of

roles between men and women.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We express our deepest thanks to Surabaya State

University which has funded this research through the

Non-APBN Fund Basic Research Scheme for the

2024 fiscal year

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