Key Social Norms Take-aways Gender norms are formed early in adolescence and significantly shape attitudes toward abortion and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Among very young adolescents (VYAs), beliefs related to sexual double standards, normative heterosexual relationships, and romantic expectations influence whether adolescents support or reject abortion. The study highlights that early socialisation into gender roles contributes to conservative reproductive attitudes, suggesting that interventions addressing SRH and gender equality should begin in early adolescence before these norms become deeply internalised.
Objectives This study examined the association between gender norm perceptions and attitudes toward abortion among very young adolescents (aged 10–14) in Kenya and Nigeria, addressing a gap in research on how early gender socialisation influences reproductive health attitudes.
Methods The study used baseline quantitative data from a longitudinal survey on gendered socialisation and SRH among in-school adolescents in urban informal settlements in Kenya (Korogocho and Viwandani) and Nigeria (Ile-Ife and Modakeke). A total of 1,912 adolescents aged 10–14 completed structured questionnaires administered using computer-assisted personal interviewing. Gender norms were measured using validated scales from the Global Early Adolescent Study, including subscales on sexual double standards, stereotypical gender traits, normative heterosexual relationships, and normative romantic relationships. Attitudes toward abortion were measured through Likert-scale questions and summarised using principal component analysis, with logistic regression used to examine predictors of abortion attitudes.
Results The study found significant regional differences in gender norms and abortion attitudes. Adolescents in Nigeria showed stronger endorsement of traditional gender norms than those in Kenya and were more likely to support abortion under certain conditions. Overall, gender norms were significantly associated with abortion attitudes. In Nigeria, sexual double standards and normative heterosexual relationship beliefs predicted endorsement of abortion. In Kenya, knowledge of where to obtain condoms, normative heterosexual relationships, and normative romantic relationship beliefs were significant predictors. Across both contexts, adolescents who scored higher on gender norm scales related to romantic relationships were more likely to endorse abortion. However, overall support for abortion remained relatively low among adolescents in both countries, reflecting broader conservative sociocultural contexts.
Conclusions Early adolescence is a critical period when gender norms and reproductive attitudes are formed. The findings demonstrate that gender norms significantly influence adolescents’ perceptions of abortion and broader SRH issues. Programs seeking to improve SRH outcomes and promote gender equality should engage adolescents early, address context-specific norms, and improve knowledge and access to reproductive health information and services.