Key Social Norms Take-aways This study underscores the central role of social norms linked to gender roles, marriage, and family honor in shaping adolescent girls’ agency and decision-making in rural West Bengal. Norms that prioritize early marriage, family reputation, and male authority constrain girls’ autonomy, particularly around education, mobility, and sexuality. Shifting these norms requires not only information provision but broader community-level transformation that includes families and gatekeepers who uphold these expectations.
Objectives The research aimed to explore the relationship between gendered social norms and adolescent girls’ agency in rural West Bengal, focusing on how norms surrounding marriage, sexuality, mobility, and education impact their life choices and decision-making power.
Methods This qualitative study used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 273 respondents, including adolescent girls, boys, parents, and community members in two districts of West Bengal. Participants were sampled from areas where CARE India’s programs were active, as well as comparison sites. A framework analysis approach guided coding and interpretation, drawing from key dimensions of adolescent agency including voice, autonomy in decision-making, mobility, and bodily autonomy.
Results The study found that social norms strongly shaped adolescent girls’ lives, particularly those related to early marriage, sexuality, and restrictions on mobility. Norms enforcing family honor and female chastity limited girls’ movement, curtailed their schooling, and silenced their voices in household decisions. While girls often had aspirations for education or work, their decisions were mediated by concerns about social perceptions and male approval. Parents and community members frequently acted as gatekeepers, enforcing expectations that linked a girl’s reputation to her family’s standing. Boys, too, internalized these norms, often viewing protective control over sisters as an expression of care. However, small shifts were noted in some intervention areas, where girls reported increased negotiation power in education and delayed marriage.
Conclusions Challenging restrictive gender norms is essential for enhancing adolescent girls’ agency. Programs that focus solely on individual empowerment without addressing community-level expectations may fall short. Effective interventions should engage families and community influencers to transform collective beliefs about girls’ roles and rights. Interventions must also support girls in building confidence and skills to navigate social expectations and claim greater autonomy, especially regarding education and marriage.