Into the World of Child Marriage: A Phenomenology

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the lived experiences of adolescent girls engaged in child marriage, particularly in Cotabato City within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Child marriage remains a persistent global issue and has long been practiced in the Philippines, especially among Muslim and Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, due in part to Presidential Decree 1083, which previously exempted these groups from the legal minimum marriage age of eighteen. However, this exemption was removed with the passage of Republic Act No. 11596, also known as the “Anti-Child Marriage Law,” in 2021. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative research design and thematic analysis, the study gathered data through in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) with seventeen (17) adolescent participants aged 15–19. Findings reveal that despite the new legislation, child marriage continues to be practiced, albeit often unreported due to fear of legal consequences under RA 11596. The study identifies that cultural traditions and religious beliefs, particularly the desire to maintain a “halal” relationship, are primary drivers of the practice. It also uncovers the various challenges faced by child brides, including socioeconomic hardship, societal and cultural pressures, and the burdens of early motherhood. Moreover, the study explores the coping mechanisms adopted by these adolescents and their personal reflections on their experiences as child brides.