PERSONAL REFERENCES & PERSONAL AUTONOMY ADOLESCENTS TO GENRE CONCEPT RELATED TO EARLY CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE IN KABALUTAN ISLAND CENTRAL SULAWESI

Adolescent acceptance of early marriage is responded positively and negatively. This is because of external factors, namely personal references or internal factors, namely personal autonomy. The GENRE program which focuses on adolescents is expected to be an innovative solution in preparing adolescents for family life. This study aims to analyze personal references and personal autonomy of adolescents towards the acceptance of the GENRE concept regarding early marriage on Kabalutan island. This study is a qualitative research with explanatory approach. Data collection was conducted with Focus Group Discussion and in-depth interviews conducted on 14 informants consisting of adolescents, parents of teenagers and local community leaders. To obtain factors that encourage personal references and personal autonomy, the data are analyzed using taxonomic analysis. This study succeeded in finding the determination of the decision of adolescent Kabalutan influenced by family and community environment. Adolescent who decide to get married early because they feel ready and mature by having a job. Teenagers who decide to postpone marriage age have reasons to continue their studies, get a job and look for work experience outside the Kabalutan. Adolescent reference figures are peers, teenage siblings (guardians) and health workers (PLKB). Adolescent? personal references are peers, parents and health workers (PLKB). Adolescents who have reference figures tend to accept GENRE and delay marriage. Whereas adolescents who do not have, reasoned that they felt equal to their friends so that no one was worthy of emulation. Therefore, to change the mind set of the Kabalutan community, recommended for BKKBN and related cross-sectors to make the Kabalutan island as a target area with the priority of adolescent and family development and GENRE to be an activity in the Student Council, especially in high school islands.