Preferensi Pemilihan Pasangan Sebagai Langkah Awal Membangun Kesiapan Psikologis Pranikah Di Desa Pasir Tanjung, Jawa Barat

Abstract

Law No. 16 of 2019 states that child marriage can have negative effects on a child’s growth and development and may result in the violation of the child’s basic rights; therefore, marriage is only permitted if both the man and woman are at least 19 years old. However, in reality, factors such as tradition, economic status, promiscuity, the influence of the internet, and social pressure often lead people to marry at a much younger age than they should. Marriages that occur at a young age often spark controversy due to the lack of understanding, readiness, and maturity among prospective spouses. Pasirtanjung Village is one of the villages in West Java known for its high rate of early marriage and low labor force participation, which impacts financial stability. Therefore, psychoeducation aimed at building psychological readiness and the concept of partner selection before marriage was chosen to address these issues. At the end of the activity, participants completed the Mate Preference Questionnaire developed by Buss in 1986, as selecting a partner based on preferences is also a key step in preparing for marriage. This community service activity, held on June 17, 2022, in Pasirtanjung Village, Tanjungsari Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, West Java Province, was attended by 18 participants aged 16–22. The event proceeded smoothly, filled with laughter, enthusiasm, and interactive communication between participants and the facilitators. Additionally, there was an increased understanding of the importance of being prepared before marriage.