Solo spirituality and the ambivalent role of religion in navigating singlehood in Indonesia

In societies where marital status and religious affiliation shape social perceptions, remaining single during marriageable age can present various social, psychological, and spiritual challenges. In Indonesia, singleness intersects with cultural and religious norms that position marriage as a key marker of adulthood and social legitimacy, hence imposing pressure on single individuals. At the same time, religion may provide resources for coping by offering alternative meanings that validate singleness as a meaningful life stage. This narrative review examines how religion shapes the experiences of singleness among Indonesian adults, highlighting both its constraining and supportive roles. The findings show that religious frameworks influence personal values, coping strategies, and identity formation in ways that are closely intertwined with gender expectations. Rather than functioning as a neutral belief system, religion operates as a socially embedded framework through which norms of intimacy, sexuality, and life trajectories are reinforced. Simultaneously, religion can foster resilience and meaning-making. This paper introduces the concept of solo spirituality that captures how individuals engage with religion in personalized ways to reinterpret their singleness as meaningful rather than deficient. Overall, the study demonstrates how religious and cultural diversity affects singleness experiences in Indonesia, encouraging a nuanced understanding of personal life choices in pluralistic societies.