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Families, Relationships and Societies
An international journal of research and debate

Motivations and reactions to social undervaluation of single people in married society: an Indonesian perspective

Authors: Karel Karsten Himawan1, Matthew Bambling2, and Sisira Edirippulige2
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  • 1 The University of Queensland, , Australia and Universitas Pelita Harapan, , Indonesia
  • | 2 The University of Queensland, , Australia
Article Category:
Research Article
Copyright:
© Policy Press 2021
Online Publication Date:
25 Oct 2021
Pages:
1–21
Publisher:
Policy Press
Volume/Issue:
Early View
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/204674321X16316940998258
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Being single and of marriageable age in a society where marriage is the norm invites perceptions of social undervaluation and vulnerability to social pressure to conform. The current study examines the reasons for more Indonesian adults remaining single, the perceived societal stigma related to this, and how they react to such undervaluing societal perceptions. Never-married Indonesian adults (N=350; Mage=29.79 ± 4.50) participated in this study, where their responses were analysed by thematic coding. The majority of participants stated that they were involuntarily single. The findings indicated four contexts within which they remained single: situational shortcomings, compliance with socially constructed marriage ideals, various perceptions of marriage, and unreadiness to marry. Participants mainly reacted to pressures with polite disregard, which reflected their cultural practice of avoiding conflict. This study provides an introduction to understanding the complexities and challenges for single people in Indonesia, which is still understudied.

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Karel Karsten Himawan1, Matthew Bambling2, and Sisira Edirippulige2
  • 1 The University of Queensland, , Australia and Universitas Pelita Harapan, , Indonesia
  • | 2 The University of Queensland, , Australia

k.himawan@uq.net.au
matthew.bambling@uq.edu.au
sisira.edirippulige@uq.edu.au

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