The Role of The Muslim Family in Dealing with Adolescent Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy

Abstract

There are various factors which contribute to adolescent out-of-wedlock pregnancy such as family, peers, media, education and environment. Factors which stem from the family include problems associated with lack of love and affection, parents who are too busy with work, divorce and domestic crisis. Nevertheless, the family is identified as a small institution which has an important role in curbing this problem. In relation to this, the need for a detailed study to identify the factors contributing to adolescent out-of-wedlock pregnancy in terms of the family and the role which it can play to curb this problem is very important to overcome this social ill and prevent it from worsening into a chronic social issue. This study is designed as a survey study. 50 respondents have been selected as sample study in two adolescent shelter homes in Malaysia, namely, Raudhatus Sakinah and PERKID by using the method of convenience sampling. Data obtained are descriptively analysed using software SPSS 20.0. Study findings show that out-of-wedlock pregnancy among Muslim adolescents is caused by the failure of parents to control their daughters’ behaviour as well as by a communication problem between parents and their adolescents. Findings also show that the family institution can play a role in overcoming this social ill through parents being exemplary role-models, giving their children adequate religious education, monitoring their children’s movements, getting advisory and guidance services from family and religious counselors in educating their children and getting closer to them.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n29p101