The Passages Project is a USAID-funded seven-year implementation research project that aims to address a broad range of social norms, at scale, to achieve sustained improvements in family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH), and gender-based violence. Passages seeks to build an evidence base and contribute to the capacity of the global community to strengthen normative environments that support RH and well-being, especially among young people at key life stages transition points, including young adolescents, newly married couples, and first-time parents. As part of this effort, the Passages Project conducted a scoping review of evidence related to social norms affecting adolescents and young adults in low- and middle-income countries.
To conduct the scoping review, Passages Project consortium members first developed consensus around a list of priority behaviors for each of three age groupings: very young adolescents (VYA; 10-14 years); older adolescents (OA; 15-18 years); and young adults (19-25 years). For each of these groups, consortium members outlined behaviors from three broad thematic areas: 1) RH and FP, focusing on puberty for VYA and voluntary use of contraception for OA and young adults; 2) primary and secondary education for VYA and OA; and 3) family violence, focusing on child marriage for VYA and OA, and intimate partner violence for OA and young adults. Experts on adolescent social and behavior change (SBC) were engaged to rank priority behaviors based on criteria including current evidence gaps, their importance to thematic area outcomes, and promise for norms-shifting approaches.
This process resulted in seven priority behavior-age group combinations that were subsequently re-organized in five behavior studies, with some age groupings combined due to lack of specific evidence or lack of disaggregation compatible with Passages’ original groupings.
5 Case Studies:
Child Marriage
The practice of child marriage (where at least one partner is under 18 years old) varies by socio-economic status, sex, and the practice of dowry or bride price in the community. Parents, family, and traditional and religious leaders are all important reference groups for child marriage. Norms related to gender equality, premarital sex and pregnancy, youth decision-making, and youth respect for parental authority impact adolescents’ outcomes related to child marriage.
Adolescent Education
Adolescents’ (10-18 years old) school access, participation, and achievement varies by their socio-economic status, sex, and parental demographics, such as parents’ age at marriage or educational attainment. Parents, peers, school authorities and community members are all important reference groups for adolescent educational attainment. Norms related to age and power hierarchies, gender equality, menstruation, early marriage, and sexual purity impact adolescents’ education.
Intimate Partner Violence Among Older Adolescents And Young Adults
The experience of intimate partner violence among older adolescents (ages 15-18) and young adults (ages 19-25) vary based on their employment or education status, alcohol consumption, and financial hardship. Parents, communities and religious leaders are all important reference groups for older adolescents and young adults’ experience or use of intimate partner violence. Norms related to gender equality, masculinities and femininities, and infidelity impact older adolescents’ and young adults’ experience or use of intimate partner violence.
Voluntary Use Of Contraception Among Older Adolescents And Young Adults
Behaviors related to sexual and reproductive health among older adolescents (ages 15-18) and young adults (ages 19-25) vary based on rural or urban residence, practice of polygamy, and couple and community education levels. Family, peers and intimate partners are all important reference groups for sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Norms related to gender equality, large families, and infidelity and promiscuity impact adolescents sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
Puberty Among Very Young Adolescents
Behaviors related to puberty among very young adolescents’ (ages 10-14) vary based on sex, ethnicity, religion, and school enrollment and attendance. Family, peers, and healthcare providers are all important reference groups for them to navigate puberty with healthy sexual and reproductive health behaviors. Norms related to gender equality, menstruation, and premarital sex impact very young adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health outcomes.