Abstract
The increasing number of never-married individuals has become a global phenomenon. Like many Asian countries, the sociocultural standard in Indonesia defines being married as a desirable social achievement, which leaves single adults vulnerable to derogation. Religiosity is also highly valued in Indonesian society, to the extent that those who show religious attributes tend to be positively regarded. This study aims to describe how Indonesian society defines the status and to explore the role of religiosity in overcoming its negative stigma. This is a narrative literature review study of relevant published literature from the last two decades. Our literature analysis showed that religiosity may mitigate the effect of being undervalued both by increasing the capacity to cope and by providing socially valued attributes that are regarded positively by Indonesian society. However, there is a risk that although singles can use religiosity as a primary coping mechanism to manage their social difficulties, society as a whole does not undergo genuine cultural shifts toward accepting a later age for marriage or singlehood as life choices. Although future studies are needed to comprehensively address the issues, the social acts of reducing stigma toward Indonesian singles are urgently needed.
Highlights
There is a global trend to later marriage and more people choosing to remain single
A similar pattern is found in Australia, where the marriage rate fell by approximately 7.8% during 2012 to 2015, followed by a gradual increase in cohabitation prior to marriage and increasing median marriage ages both for men and women (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016)
In Indonesia, the number of never-married individuals is lower than international statistics, it appears that the rates of remaining single have been increasing over the last decade
Summary
There is a global trend to later marriage and more people choosing to remain single. Among Americans, for example, the percentage of never-married individuals aged 35 years and above has risen sharply to nearly 14% for men and more than 10% for women during the period 1980 to 2010 (Elliott, Krivickas, Brault, & Kreider, 2010). The numbers of American singles aged 18 years and above are gradually increasing from 99.6 million in 2011 to 109 million in 2015, of which approximately 53% are women (U.S Census Bureau, 2011, 2016). In Indonesia, the number of never-married individuals is lower than international statistics, it appears that the rates of remaining single have been increasing over the last decade Hull (2002) predicts that in three decades, Indonesia may be among the highest in the rate of singlehood in Asia This may be partly due to a declining birthrate and an aging population. Individuals who delay marriage or chose not to marry are perceived as not meeting sociocultural expectations and may experience negative social and psychological impacts. That when one’s religious motive is predominantly to achieve more mundane goals such as social approval and protection, their psychological well-being will be negatively affected with increased risk of depression and anxiety (i.e., Navara & James, 2005)
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