Key Social Norms Take-aways This study provides strong evidence that adolescent girls’ perceptions of gendered social norms—particularly around marriage and education—are predictive of their expectations for their own futures. Norms around when girls should marry, whether education is valuable for them, and whether they are expected to work or stay home shape their aspirations and likely choices. The findings highlight the role of peers and community in shaping perceived norms and suggest that changing social norms may be critical to expanding girls’ life options in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives The study aimed to investigate how adolescents’ beliefs about social expectations—especially around gender roles, marriage, and education—influence their aspirations and anticipated life paths in four low- and middle-income countries: Ethiopia, India (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Peru, and Vietnam.

Methods This mixed-methods study draws on quantitative and qualitative data from the Young Lives longitudinal survey (Round 5, 2016), focusing on 15,000 adolescents aged 15 and 19. The authors constructed measures of gender norms perceptions (e.g., perceived age at marriage, expectations for girls’ education and labor force participation), individual aspirations, and anticipated behaviors. Quantitative analysis used regression models to assess the relationship between perceived norms and future expectations, controlling for household and individual characteristics. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews in the same countries provided contextual insights.

Results Across all countries, adolescent girls who perceived stronger societal norms in favor of early marriage or domestic roles were more likely to expect lower educational attainment and earlier marriage for themselves. Conversely, girls who believed that their communities valued girls’ education or expected them to work outside the home were more likely to aspire to higher education and employment. Peers and local role models emerged as particularly influential in shaping these normative perceptions, often more than formal institutions or family expectations. The data also revealed variation by country and gender, with girls generally more constrained by norms than boys.

Conclusions The study concludes that perceived social norms are powerful predictors of adolescents’ anticipated life trajectories, especially for girls. Interventions aiming to improve outcomes for adolescent girls should incorporate strategies to shift community and peer norms that limit girls’ educational and professional aspirations. Normative change at the collective level—not just targeted support to individuals—is essential to meaningfully expand opportunities for adolescent girls in restrictive contexts.