The Fertility in Child Marriage Families: In-Depth Investigation in Indonesia

Abstract

Fertility is a primary determinant of population growth rate. Theoretically, child marriage families have a higher chance of fertility. Accordingly, this study aims to comprehend the interpretation of fertility among the family from child marriage. The interpretation of fertility was observed in depth using phenomenology (causal motives) through data collection and analysis. The research participants were married women who had children or were 16 years old or younger and did not yet have a child. The analysis results indicate that child marriage families interpret fertility as a burden, marriage reinforcement, and investment. The families from child marriage are motivated to have fewer children and space them out in terms of age. It is important to note that no child-free doctrine was discovered, as it goes against Islamic principles. Additionally, having children is believed to improve marital relations within the child marriage community on Bawean Island. Children are often viewed as an economic investment and a guarantee for future parental care. Child marriage on Bawean Island did not have a discernible impact on the population growth rate.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Zulfi Al'Ghani, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

Muhammad Zulfi Al’Ghani is a Doctoral student and a researcher at the Social Science Faculty at the Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. He has worked in several research projects in the field of Population Science and Social Geography.

Budijanto Budijanto, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

Budijanto is a Professor of Demography and Population Science. He is a researcher and lecturer at the Social Science Faculty, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. He has worked in several research projects in the field of Demography and Population Science.

Sumarmi Sumarmi, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

Sumarmi is a Professor of Environmental Geography. She is a researcher and lecturer at the Social Science Faculty, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. She has worked in several research projects in the field of Environmental Geography, Social Geography, and Geography Education.

Singgih Susilo, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, Indonesia

Singgih Susilo is a Professor of Social Geography. He is a researcher and lecturer at the Social Science Faculty, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. He has worked in several research projects in the field of Population Science and Social Geography.

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Published
2024-07-19
How to Cite
Al'Ghani, M., Budijanto, B., Sumarmi, S., & Susilo, S. (2024). The Fertility in Child Marriage Families: In-Depth Investigation in Indonesia. Changing Societies & Personalities, 8(2), 465–490. doi:10.15826/csp.2024.8.2.283