Peran Penyuluh Kantor Urusan Agama (KUA) Dalam Mengurangi Pernikahan Akibat Hamil Di Luar Nikah: Studi Kasus di KUA Kecamatan Bajeng tahun 2022-2023

Abstrak

This study employs a qualitative research design with a descriptive approach involving three respondents.Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The data sourcesconsisted of religious and community leaders, village imams, and the primary data sources, namelyindividuals involved in marriages due to premarital pregnancy. Data analysis was conducted in three stages:data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. This study aims to analyze the role of marriagecounselors at the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama/KUA) in reducing the number ofmarriages resulting from premarital pregnancy in Bajeng District during the 2022–2023 period. Premaritalpregnancy represents a significant social challenge that affects social order and the dignity of the institutionof marriage. In this context, KUA counselors function as agents of religious education and guidance throughpremarital counseling, youth outreach programs, and family consultation services.The findings indicate that KUA counselors in Bajeng District have actively contributed to preventingmarriages resulting from premarital pregnancy through various guidance and counseling activities.However, the effectiveness of these efforts remains constrained by several factors, including the limitednumber of counselors, low community participation in counseling programs, and the strong influence ofpermissive cultural attitudes toward free social interaction. This study concludes that the role of KUA