Marrying Unwanted Pregnant Girl Phenomenon in Indonesia: Is it in the Child's Best Interests?

What is it about?

The 'best interests of the child’ principle has a dynamic meaning in facts, such as Indonesia’s phenomenon of marrying unwanted pregnant girls. Instead of preventing child marriage to implement the 'best interests of the child', the facts indicate that parents and partners tend to propose child marriage dispensation in case the partner is already pregnant. The primary reasons of the parent, such as religious principles, protecting the fetus, and the family’s good name, dominantly color the meaning of ’the best interest of the child’. These reasons were well supported by the judges.

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Why is it important?

This research contributes to the finding that external factors, such as local culture and religion, can influence the dynamic meaning of ’the best interests of the child.’

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