ANALYSIS OF THE MARRIAGE IS SCARY PHENOMENON AMONG GENERATION Z

A PERSPECTIVE OF ISLAMIC LAW SOCIOLOGY

Abstract

The phenomenon of "Marriage is Scary" among Generation Z is increasingly prevalent and reflects changing perceptions and attitudes towards marriage. This study aims to analyze how comments on social media, particularly TikTok, reflect Generation Z's perceptions of marriage within the context of this phenomenon. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a descriptive-analytical method, 63 comments were collected from TikTok posts discussing the "Marriage is Scary" trend between November 2024 and January 2025. The analysis identified five main themes: Fear of partners, uncertainty about the future, domestic conflicts, financial concerns, and social media influence. Fear of partners emerged as the most dominant category, influenced by personal experience and exposure to negative narratives regarding domestic violence and marital failure. Economic factors and financial instability also contribute to Generation Z's decision to delay marriage, while social expectations and domestic conflicts further reinforce skepticism towards the institution of marriage. From the perspective of Islamic legal sociology, this phenomenon reflects the challenges in harmonizing Islamic legal norms with evolving social realities. Islamic law emphasizes balance in spousal relationships. However, in practice, it remains influenced by patriarchal cultural expectations that raise concerns, particularly for women. This study highlights the need for more inclusive premarital education, focusing not only on normative aspects, but also on the social and psychological realities of young people. Further research could explore the influence of religious education, state policies, and family roles in shaping perceptions of marriage as well as developing Islamic legal strategies that are more adaptive to social changes.