NEGOSIASI IDENTITAS DALAM KELUARGA PASANGAN BERBEDA AGAMA

Abstract

Indonesia is a highly religiously diverse country, leading to various social dynamics, including in marriage. Interfaith marriage remains a complex and controversial phenomenon from legal, religious, and social perspectives. This study aims to understand how interfaith couples negotiate their identities within their marital life. Using a qualitative transcendental phenomenology approach, this research explores the subjective experiences of interfaith couples in dealing with social pressure, communication challenges, and strategies for building family harmony. The theoretical framework is based on Identity Negotiation Theory by Stella Ting-Toomey and Relational Dialectics Theory by Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery. The findings reveal that identity negotiation in interfaith marriages occurs through adaptive communication strategies, compromises in religious practices, and social support from the surrounding environment. Key factors determining the success of identity negotiation include openness between partners, effective communication patterns, and acceptance from family and society. This study provides new insights into the dynamics of interfaith marriage in Indonesia and its implications for interpersonal communication and social identity studies