Exploring perceptions of gender roles amongst sexually active adolescents in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Outcomes: Sexual and Reproductive Health
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways The study highlights that adolescent SRH vulnerabilities are deeply embedded in gendered social norms that dictate how young people see themselves and their roles. Effective interventions need to actively question and reshape these norms, engaging not only adolescents but also families and communities, to create supportive environments where young people can define their futures free from restrictive and harmful gender expectations.
Objectives This study explored how sexually active adolescents in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, understand gender roles, expectations, and identities, and how these social norms shape their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) decisions and risks.
Methods The researchers conducted a longitudinal qualitative study, focusing here on the first round of in-depth interviews with 29 cisgender adolescents (aged 15–19) who had been sexually active in the past month. Using thematic analysis guided by the theory of gender and power, they examined how young people interpret gender identity, household roles, and fertility expectations.
Intervention Details This was a research study, not an intervention evaluation. However, the findings point toward implications for developing gender-transformative and community-level interventions.
Results The study found that adolescents held strongly essentialist views of gender, closely linking biological sex with rigid, socially sanctioned roles. Boys were expected to be providers and heads of households, while girls were socialized into domestic and caregiving roles, with strong community pressure to prove womanhood or manhood through childbearing. Even when girls contributed economically, they remained seen as subordinate. These entrenched norms shaped adolescents’ sexual decisions, often encouraging early parenthood as a way to affirm gender identity and avoid stigma.
Conclusions To improve SRH outcomes among adolescents, interventions must go beyond individual behavior change and address the broader social and cultural norms that reinforce gender inequality. Without challenging these deep-rooted expectations, adolescents — particularly girls — remain vulnerable to negative sexual health outcomes, including early pregnancy, coercion, and limited autonomy.
Disclaimer: These summaries were generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and are based on the interpretation of source documents. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, there may be errors or omissions. Users are encouraged to consult the original documents for complete and authoritative information.