Analyzing Indonesia’s Abortion Legal Policy through Robert K. Merton’s Structural Functionalism
Keywords:
Abortion, Structural Functionalism, Robert K. Merton, Manifest and Latent Functions, DysfunctionAbstract
This study aims to analyze Indonesia’s abortion policy through the perspective of Robert K. Merton’s structural functionalism theory. The study employed normative legal research using statutory and conceptual approaches, with qualitative analysis based on the concepts of manifest functions, latent functions, and dysfunctions. The findings indicate that Indonesia’s abortion policy performs manifest functions by protecting fetal life, safeguarding maternal health under specific circumstances, and providing legal certainty for healthcare professionals. However, it also generates latent functions, including the persistence of illegal abortion practices, barriers to legal abortion services for rape victims, healthcare professionals’ concerns over criminal liability, and intensified social stigma toward women. A comparative analysis with the Netherlands demonstrates that different regulatory approaches produce distinct social consequences. The study highlights the need to reform abortion policy to balance legal certainty, human rights protection, and reproductive healthcare needs within contemporary society.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kebijakan aborsi di Indonesia melalui perspektif teori fungsionalisme struktural Robert K. Merton. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian hukum normatif dengan pendekatan yuridis dan konseptual, serta analisis kualitatif yang didasarkan pada konsep fungsi manifes, fungsi laten, dan disfungsi. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kebijakan aborsi di Indonesia menjalankan fungsi manifes dengan melindungi kehidupan janin, menjaga kesehatan ibu dalam keadaan tertentu, serta memberikan kepastian hukum bagi tenaga kesehatan. Namun, kebijakan tersebut juga menimbulkan fungsi laten, termasuk berlanjutnya praktik aborsi ilegal, hambatan dalam mengakses layanan aborsi legal bagi korban pemerkosaan, kekhawatiran tenaga kesehatan terkait pertanggungjawaban pidana, serta meningkatnya stigma sosial terhadap perempuan. Analisis komparatif dengan Belanda menunjukkan bahwa pendekatan regulasi yang berbeda menghasilkan konsekuensi sosial yang berbeda pula. Penelitian ini menyoroti perlunya mereformasi kebijakan aborsi untuk menyeimbangkan kepastian hukum, perlindungan hak asasi manusia, dan kebutuhan layanan kesehatan reproduksi dalam masyarakat kontemporer.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Christian Aldino, Veronica Laura Lujunai, Yorlin Jessica Zhelomitha Heo, Firnas Muhammad, Puspa Cahaya Rhamadhani, Anjani Analurisha, Nurul Azizaturrahmah, Dwi Puspitasari, Siti Maulida Farhah, Mawar Rizkia Putri, Ester Elopere, Runi Sikah Seisabila (Author)
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