The ‘Marriage is Scary’ Phenomenon Among the Younger Generation: An Analysis from the Perspective of Islamic Law (Maqashid al-Shari’ah)

Azka Ummah, Era Zufialina

Abstract


The phenomenon widely known as "marriage is scary" has become increasingly visible among Indonesia's young generation, characterized by a steady decline in the marriage rate, delayed marital age, and the proliferation of anti-marriage narratives across digital platforms. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded a decline of nearly 30% in the number of registered marriages between 2013 and 2023, while a 2024 survey by IDN Research Institute and Katadata Insight Center found that a considerable share of Generation Z expresses hesitation toward marriage, driven by economic pressure, psychological trauma, unrealistic social expectations, and negative narratives circulating on social media. This study analyzes the "marriage is scary" phenomenon through the lens of Islamic law, specifically employing the framework of maqashid al-shari'ah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), to trace its underlying causes and formulate normative solutions. Using a qualitative, library-based normative-juridical method, this research examines relevant verses of the Qur'an, prophetic traditions (hadith), and the opinions of classical and contemporary Muslim jurists. The findings show that the fear of marriage among young people intersects with all six dimensions of maqashid al-shari'ah, namely the preservation of religion, life, intellect, lineage, property, and honor, and that Islamic law offers not merely normative obligation but a framework of gradual readiness, economic ease, and pre-marital guidance capable of mitigating such anxiety. This study contributes to the growing discourse on contemporary Islamic family law by situating a viral socio-digital phenomenon within a systematic maqashid-based analysis, offering theoretical enrichment and practical recommendations for religious and educational institutions in responding to shifting marital attitudes among the younger generation.

Keywords


Family Law; Generation Z; Maqashid Syariah; Marriage Anxiety; Social Media.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15548/ijt.v42i1.1032

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