But finding a partner has also become complicated. Many young Indonesians report feeling skeptical and fearful due to negative experiences, including meeting married men or falling victim to scams on dating apps. A social media trend, "Marriage is scary," went viral on TikTok, where Gen Z users expressed fears of infidelity, neglect, and simply "meeting the wrong person".
This shift is not universal. A counter-movement online often promotes "alpha male" or ultra-conservative ideologies, warning men against losing their traditional authority in the household. Social Issues at the Intersection of Gender But finding a partner has also become complicated
The path forward lies in dismantling the patriarchal ideologies that normalize violence and discrimination, while embracing the undeniable transformations brought by digitalization and global culture. This requires a multi-pronged effort: stronger enforcement of laws, a shift in media narratives, comprehensive sex and gender education, and a collective social will to challenge long-held biases. Only then can the interactions between Indonesian men and women—in love, work, and society—truly reflect the nation's democratic and progressive aspirations. This shift is not universal
The Aksi Cewek Cowok phenomenon has not been without controversy: a shift in media narratives