LEGAL COUNSELING ON THE IMPACT OF EARLY MARRIAGE ON THE FUTURE OF TEENAGERS AT TRIGUNA VOCATIONAL SCHOOL

Abstract

Legal counseling is a form of community service that aims to increase legal awareness and prevent early marriage among teenagers. This activity was motivated by the high risk of early marriage in Indonesia, including among students at Triguna Vocational School, which is influenced by a low understanding of the law, misguided social perceptions, and a lack of education about the impact of early marriage on the future of adolescents. The community service team conducted legal counseling with an emphasis on legal, health, educational, and socio-economic aspects as a preventive measure. The approach used was participatory and educational, actively involving students through the delivery of material, discussions, and case studies relevant to the lives of teenagers. The findings of the activity showed that some students did not understand the age limit for marriage according to the law and the legal and social consequences of early marriage. This education was able to increase students' understanding of children's rights, reproductive health risks, the potential for dropping out of school, and the long-term socio-economic impacts of early marriage. This activity was carried out at SMK Triguna, South Jakarta. This program is expected to be the first step in building legal awareness among adolescents and strengthening efforts to prevent early marriage through the active role of schools as educational and protective environments