Tracing the Gap Between Policy and Practice: How Communities Understand and Comply with Premarital Education Rules in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64268/jilhs.v1i2.62Keywords:
Indonesia family law policy, Legal awareness, Legal compliance, Premarital education, Socio-legal perspectiveAbstract
Background: Premarital courses were introduced in Indonesia to help couples enter marriage with better preparation, but in practice the program often unfolds quite differently from what the regulation intends.
Aims: This study examines how married individuals in Metro City interpret the purpose of premarital education and how their level of legal awareness influences their willingness to follow the rule. It also considers how inconsistent implementation affects the broader social and educational aims of the program.
Methods: A sociological qualitative approach was used. Data were gathered through purposive sampling, semi-structured interviews with couples married for one to ten years, and conversations with officials at the local Office of Religious Affairs. Field documents supported interpretation, and themes were developed through an inductive reading of the material.
Result: Most participants recalled only limited information about the premarital course, and only one of the four interviewed couples had attended it. Some stated that the course was never offered to them despite completing marriage registration. Officials confirmed that sessions are held only when enough participants gather, which leads to inconsistent delivery and weak public awareness.
Conclusion: The findings reveal a clear divide between regulatory expectations and everyday practice. When information does not reach the community and the program is not offered routinely, legal awareness and compliance naturally weaken. A more predictable schedule and clearer communication are needed for the policy to achieve its intended impact.
References
Acuti, D., Pizzetti, M., & Dolnicar, S. (2022). When sustainability backfires: A review on the unintended negative side-effects of product and service sustainability on consumer behavior. Psychology & Marketing, 39(10), 1933–1945. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21709 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21709
Al-Tarawneh, A., Al-Badawi, M., & Hatab, W. A. (2024). TRANSLATING GOVERNANCE AND LEGAL COMPLIANCE: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF TRANSLATION IN FACILITATING CORPORATE REPORTING AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION. Corporate Law & Governance Review, 6(3), 27. https://doi.org/10.22495/clgrv6i3p3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.22495/clgrv6i3p3
Andrade, M. O. D., Zurita, M., Burova, I., & Nyamapfene, A. (2022). Assessing higher levels of learning through real-life problems in engineering mathematics. 2022-March, 2002–2006. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON52537.2022.9766484 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON52537.2022.9766484
Anthony, B. (2024). The Role of Community Engagement in Urban Innovation Towards the Co-Creation of Smart Sustainable Cities. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15(1), 1592–1624. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01176-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01176-1
Bouton, M. E. (2021). Context, attention, and the switch between habit and goal-direction in behavior. Learning & Behavior, 49(4), 349–362. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-021-00488-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-021-00488-z
Boysen, N., Fedtke, S., & Schwerdfeger, S. (2021). Last-mile delivery concepts: A survey from an operational research perspective. OR Spectrum, 43(1), 1–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-020-00607-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00291-020-00607-8
Brouwer, M. A., Maeckelberghe, E. L. M., Heide, A. van der, Hein, I. M., & Verhagen, E. A. A. E. (2021). Breaking bad news: What parents would like you to know. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 106(3), 276–281. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-318398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-318398
Bufacchi, V. (2021). Truth, lies and tweets: A Consensus Theory of Post-Truth. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 47(3), 347–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453719896382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0191453719896382
Caballini, C., Olivari, E., Gasparini, C., & Dalla Chiara, B. (2023). The Spread of MaaS Initiatives in Europe: The Leading Role of Public Governance Emerging from an Italian Regional Application. Sustainability, 15(18), 13413. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813413
Canchy, L., Girardeau, P., Durand, A., Vouillac-Mendoza, C., & Ahmed, S. H. (2021). Pharmacokinetics trumps pharmacodynamics during cocaine choice: A reconciliation with the dopamine hypothesis of addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology, 46(2), 288–296. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0786-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0786-9
Casanovas, P., de Koker, L., & Hashmi, M. (2022). Law, Socio-Legal Governance, the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0: A Middle-Out/Inside-Out Approach. J, 5(1), 64–91. https://doi.org/10.3390/j5010005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/j5010005
Charoenwong, W. (2025). Islamic Premarital Education in Malaysia Through the Lens of Moral Education. Asia-Pacific Social Science Review, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1569 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59588/2350-8329.1569
Cwajna, M., Hamouda, A. M., Kendall, N., Ghozy, S., Atieh, F., Aboseif, A., Ahmed, N. S., Kallmes, D. F., Arumaithurai, K., Abboud, H., & Flanagan, E. P. (2025). Factors influencing timeliness of reporting results from multiple sclerosis related clinical trials to ClinicalTrials.gov. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2025.123744 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2025.123744
Dzupire, N., Nyirenda, D., Enerico, C., Phepa, P., & Mwamtobe, P. (2025). Exploring the influence of culture, religion, and law on public health, and their reciprocal impacts: A grey relational analysis approach. Discover Social Science and Health, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00249-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00249-7
Elleuch Ep Mallek, S., & Amouri, I. (2025). End of law: Qatari law’s pursuit of balance and harmony. Medecine et Droit, 2025(195), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meddro.2025.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meddro.2025.08.002
Eysenbach, G. (2023). The Role of ChatGPT, Generative Language Models, and Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education: A Conversation With ChatGPT and a Call for Papers. JMIR Medical Education, 9(1), e46885. https://doi.org/10.2196/46885 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/46885
Frennesson, L., Kembro, J., de Vries, H., Jahre, M., & Van Wassenhove, L. (2022). “International humanitarian organizations’ perspectives on localization efforts”. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 83, 103410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103410 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103410
García-Llave, R., Andrade, F. H. E., & Huertas, D. J. C. (2025). Autonomous ships and flag state: Challenges and opportunities in international maritime law. Journal of Transportation Security, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12198-025-00304-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12198-025-00304-z
Grade, A. M., Chan, N. W., Gajbhiye, P., Perkins, D. J., & Warren, P. S. (2022). Evaluating the use of semi-structured crowdsourced data to quantify inequitable access to urban biodiversity: A case study with eBird. PLOS ONE, 17(11), e0277223. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277223 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277223
Grissom, J. A., & Condon, L. (2021). Leading Schools and Districts in Times of Crisis. Educational Researcher, 50(5), 315–324. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X211023112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X211023112
Hameed Salih, R., Shaker Salman, A., Abdul-Sattar Jaleel Shalaan, S., Mahmood Jawad, H., Alsaray, A., Amini, A., & Mostafazadeh, R. (2025). Cybersecurity for environmental data integrity: Legal perspectives on safeguarding water and soil management system. Environment and Water Engineering, 11(4), 509–518. https://doi.org/10.22034/ewe.2025.542132.2054
Hoicka, C. E., Lowitzsch, J., Brisbois, M. C., Kumar, A., & Ramirez Camargo, L. (2021). Implementing a just renewable energy transition: Policy advice for transposing the new European rules for renewable energy communities. Energy Policy, 156, 112435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112435 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112435
Ingrassia, M., Chironi, S., Lo Grasso, G., Gristina, L., Francesca, N., Bacarella, S., Columba, P., & Altamore, L. (2022). Is Environmental Sustainability Also “Economically Efficient”? The Case of the “SOStain” Certification for Sicilian Sparkling Wines. Sustainability, 14(12), 7359. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127359 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127359
Islam, M. S., & Hasan, A. M. (2025). Rethinking UNCLOS dispute mechanisms: Jurisdiction, sovereignty, and reform pathways through case law insights. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 25(4), 539–574. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-025-09690-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10784-025-09690-0
Kamarusdiana, K., Yusuf, B., Hakim, M. R., & Dahri, H. (2022). Pre-Marital Education: Concepts and Regulations in Indonesia and Malaysia. Al-Ahkam, 32(1), 41–64. https://doi.org/10.21580/ahkam.2022.32.1.10709 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21580/ahkam.2022.32.1.10709
Khosravi, S., Babaey, F., Abedi, P., Kalahroodi, Z. M., & Hajimirzaie, S. S. (2022). Strategies to improve the quality of midwifery care and developing midwife-centered care in Iran: Analyzing the attitudes of midwifery experts. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04379-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04379-7
Lacey, N. (2025). Institutionalising Interpersonal Ideas in Law. The Modern Law Review, 88(1), 3–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12935 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2230.12935
Liu, F., & Shen, M. (2025). Legal compliance costs and financial reporting quality: The moderating role of financial market volatility. Finance Research Letters, 86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.108873 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2025.108873
Maryudi, A., Sahide, M. A. K., Daulay, M. H., Yuniati, D., Syafitri, W., Sadiyo, S., & Fisher, M. R. (2022). Holding social forestry hostage in Indonesia: Contested bureaucracy mandates and potential escape pathways. Environmental Science & Policy, 128, 142–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.11.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.11.013
Nordby, C., Douglas, K. S., Vølstad, A. G., Brevik, T. B., Bjørkly, S. K., & Vatnar, S. K. B. (2025). Compliance with mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence among professionals in Norway. BMC Public Health, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22637-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22637-z
Secules, S., McCall, C., Mejia, J. A., Beebe, C., Masters, A. S., L. Sánchez-Peña, M., & Svyantek, M. (2021). Positionality practices and dimensions of impact on equity research: A collaborative inquiry and call to the community. Journal of Engineering Education, 110(1), 19–43. https://doi.org/10.1002/jee.20377 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jee.20377
Sreenivasan, A., & Suresh, M. (2023). Agile readiness for sustainable operations in start-ups. International Journal of Innovation Science, 16(1), 166–192. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-08-2022-0164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-08-2022-0164
Stentoft, J., Adsbøll Wickstrøm, K., Philipsen, K., & Haug, A. (2021). Drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0 readiness and practice: Empirical evidence from small and medium-sized manufacturers. Production Planning & Control, 32(10), 811–828. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1768318 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1768318
Stopps, H., Huchuk, B., Touchie, M. F., & O’Brien, W. (2021). Is anyone home? A critical review of occupant-centric smart HVAC controls implementations in residential buildings. Building and Environment, 187, 107369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107369 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107369
Wang, S., & Gong, S. (2024). Gender-role preference matters: How family policy dissemination affects marriage/fertility intentions. Gender, Work & Organization, 31(6), 2351–2370. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12963
Wibye, J. V. (2025). Incompatible or impossible—Legal conflict resolution at the European Court of Human Rights. Human Rights Law Review, 25(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngaf034 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngaf034
Zumaro, E. M., Fatimah, O. Z. S., Dewi Handayani, R., Rakhimah, F., Izah, N., Hidayah, S. N., Pranata, S., Keysha, N., & Adikusuma, W. (2025). Hopes, Fears, and Expectations of Indonesian Young Couples in the Pre-marital Process: A Socio-ecological Perspective. Journal of Research and Health, 15(6), 593–602. https://doi.org/10.32598/JRH.15.6.2389.2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32598/JRH.15.6.2389.2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 AI Siti Hajar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
