REPRESENTATION OF SOCIAL PRESSURE ON PERMISSIVE DATING IN THE FILM PANTASKAH AKU BERHIJAB (SHOULD I WEAR THE HIJAB: A PSYCHOLOGICAL LITERARY STUDY

Abstract

This study explores the social pressure faced by hijab-wearing women, particularly in relation to permissive dating behaviors, using the film Pantaskah Aku Berhijab as its central text. The main character, Sofi, embodies the inner conflict many religious women experience when societal expectations clash with personal morality. Employing a qualitative descriptive method with a literary psychology approach—specifically Krech’s emotion classification as interpreted by Minderop—the research analyzes film scenes, dialogues, and character behavior to identify forms and impacts of social pressure. Findings reveal that Sofi endures intense pressure from family, community, and social environments, which triggers emotional struggles such as guilt, shame, and profound sadness. These psychological burdens contribute to her engagement in permissive dating, interpreted not as moral failure but as an escape from overwhelming social demands. The hijab in the film symbolizes more than religious devotion; it becomes a focal point of tension between spiritual values, societal judgment, and personal emotional needs. Ultimately, the study concludes that social pressure significantly shapes the decisions and self-perception of religious women like Sofi, influencing their moral and emotional navigation in modern society. The research underscores the need for greater empathy and awareness among communities, educators, and policymakers regarding the complex identity struggles of hijab-wearing women. By highlighting these psychological dynamics, the study contributes valuable insights to literary psychology and promotes a deeper understanding of gender, religion, and social conflict in contemporary cultural contexts.