THE 'MARRIAGE IS SCARY' PHENOMENON AMONG GEN Z: AN ISLAMIC LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE DECLINE IN MARRIAGE INTEREST

Abstract

The phenomenon of marriage avoidance is a growing social trend among Generation Z, characterized by increasing fear and reluctance to marry. This trend is driven by factors such as economic instability, fear of long-term commitment, trauma from childhood family experiences, and the influence of social media and popular culture. Marriage, as a sacred institution in Islamic family law, is intended to foster tranquility (sakinah), love (mawaddah), and grace. This study employs a normative-empirical approach to analyze the Islamic perspective on the decline in marriage interest among Generation Z and its impact on family resilience. The findings suggest that a decrease in marriage interest may weaken family resilience, disrupt social structures, and lead to various social challenges in the future. Consequently, efforts are needed to revitalize the values of marriage in Islam and develop contextual educational strategies for Generation Z.