Waithood: Fenomena Keragaman Menunda Pernikahan pada Perempuan di Komunitas Perempuan Hari Ini (PHI)

Abstract

This paper examines the phenomenon of "waithood" among women in the Perempuan Hari Ini (PHI) community. Waithood in this study refers to an extended period of adulthood where young women choose to delay marriage indefinitely or choose not to get married at all. The study focuses on why women delay their marriage, their concepts of marriage, and the pressures they face. The research employs a qualitative method with data collection techniques including participant observation and in-depth interviews. Preliminary research activities were conducted on February 3, 2024, when the author participated in an event organized by the PHI Community. The informants in this study are 8 members of the PHI Community who had never been married. The results of this study show that there are various reasons why women in the PHI community choose to postpone marriage, including past trauma, the desire to be financially independent before getting married, focusing on completing studies and pursuing careers, and fear of marriage. The concept of marriage for women in the PHI community includes: marriage is an option rather than a duty, marriage isn't the end of everything, having a child in a marriage isn't an obligation, and marriage is a celebration and formality. Women are being pressured to get married, are being forced to make a couple, are often fooled, and are asked, "When are you getting married?". The various pressures come from parents, colleagues, friends, and extended family members. Based on the findings in this study, women in the PHI Community postponed their marriage indefinitely. They intentionally postponed the marriage for various reasons and based on their experiences. The series of past events or experiences influenced their decision to delay the marriage, including their views about marriage.