Improving the Understanding of the Marriage Law among the Kodingareng Island Community
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Abstract
Early marriage remains a significant social issue in many community settings, including island and coastal areas where access to legal education and public awareness programs may still be limited. In such contexts, insufficient understanding of marriage regulations can contribute to the persistence of early marriage practices and weaken community awareness of the legal, social, and familial consequences associated with them. This community service activity was conducted in Kodingareng Island with the aim of improving public understanding of the revised Marriage Law and strengthening preventive awareness regarding early marriage. The activity employed a direct socialization approach targeting members of the local community. The implementation process consisted of problem identification, preparation of educational materials, direct delivery of legal information, interactive discussion, and participatory evaluation through community responses during the activity. The socialization emphasized the importance of legal literacy in marriage, the relevance of revised legal provisions, and the risks of entering marriage at an immature age. The results indicate that the activity contributed positively to the community’s understanding of the revised Marriage Law. Participants showed active engagement during the session and demonstrated better awareness of the legal and social implications of early marriage. The program also opened a constructive space for dialogue between the service team and the community regarding marriage readiness and family responsibility. In conclusion, legal socialization can serve as an effective initial strategy for strengthening community awareness and supporting the prevention of early marriage in Kodingareng Island.
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