Debt Behavior By Civil Servants (PNS) For Their Children Regarding The Implementation Of Walimah al-‘Ursy in Binawidya District Pekanbaru City From a Family Sociology Perspective

Abstract

The phenomenon of indebted behavior among Civil Servants (PNS) to finance their children's walimah al-‘ursy (wedding reception) is increasingly prevalent in Binawidya District, Pekanbaru City. Walimah al-‘ursy is often perceived as a symbol of social status, where families feel compelled to hold a luxurious event to maintain their honor and image in society. Social pressure, traditional demands, and environmental expectations influence family financial decision-making, including the decision to incur debt. Therefore, this study aims to identify the reasons, impacts, and analysis of indebted behavior by PNS within the context of family sociology. The main issue in this research is how social, cultural, and economic reasons and impacts drive PNS's indebted behavior in financing their children's walimah al-‘ursy, as well as how this behavior affects the financial stability of the family. This study employs field research with a qualitative approach. The research subjects consist of 15 PNS family couples who have financed their children's walimah al-‘ursy through debt. From this population, three couples were selected as the main respondents using snowball sampling and then purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation studies. The collected data were then analyzed descriptively using a conceptual framework from the perspective of family sociology. The research findings show that 100% of the respondents exhibit indebted behavior driven by social, cultural, and psychological factors. Social pressure from the surrounding environment and expectations from the extended family play a significant role in the decision to incur debt. Additionally, pride or the desire to maintain the family's image is a key reason why families choose to go into debt. However, this behavior has negative consequences on family financial conditions, especially regarding post-walimah economic stability. The burden of long-term debt becomes one of the main implications that families must bear, affecting daily financial management. From the perspective of family sociology, this behavior reflects the strong influence of social construction on the continuity and harmony of family life.