Adolescent‐led marriage in Somaliland and Puntland: A surprising interaction of agency and social norms

• DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.02.009
• Publication Date: 2019-03-14T17:22:38Z
• Authors: Leah Kenny; Hamse Koshin; Munshi Sulaiman; Beniamino Cislaghi
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Somalia; Age Factors; Focus Groups; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Adolescent Behavior; Social Norms; Djibouti; Humans; Female; Marriage; Child; Poverty; Qualitative Research

Abstract Introduction Child marriage, formal and informal unions when one or both spouses are under 18, disproportionately affects adolescent girls over boys. It has serious consequences for girls' health, wellbeing, development. Little is known about the ways in which agency contextual social norms – unwritten rules of (un)acceptable behaviour a group intersect to affect child marriage practices. This paper investigates as facilitators obstacles Somaliland Puntland. Methods Participants (n = 156) were men women living We conducted 36 qualitative semi‐structured individual interviews (12 24 women). also held 15 focus discussions (8 7 Puntland) with 6–10 people each 120). Mixed groups together, segregated by age. Results Technology economic deprivation important factors explaining prevalence marriage. reported that boys' increased contributed to, rather than decreased, Access technology expanded adolescents' freedom from their parents' control. Adolescents used within existing system rewarded early (as opposed later) Conclusions Effective interventions aim reduce among adolescents Somalia (where can be protective strategy) should integrate perspective avoid increasing adolescent‐led