ArticlePloS one2022
Adolescent girls trapped in early marriage social norm in rural Ethiopia: A vignette-based qualitative exploration.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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11 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exploring adolescent girls' involvement in decision-making processes regarding child marriage: A systematic review.Narra J · 2025Pooled it
- Prevalence and factors associated with child marriage, a systematic review.BMC women's health · 2023Pooled it
- Time to first birth and its determinants among female youths in Ethiopia using accelerated failure time shared frailty models.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Article
- Measuring adolescent girls' agency.Journal of adolescence · 2025Article
- Socio-ecological factors of girl child marriage: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research.BMC public health · 2024Article
- Effects of early marriage among women married before reaching 18 years old (qualitative study approach).Frontiers in sociology · 2024Article
- Factors associated with girl child marriage in Iran: a qualitative socio-ecological approach.Frontiers in public health · 2024Article
- Early marriage, education and mental health: experiences of adolescent girls in Mozambique.Frontiers in global women's health · 2024Article
- Individual and interpersonal factors influencing child marriage: A qualitative content analysis study.PloS one · 2024Article
- Parents' intention toward early marriage of their adolescent girls in eastern Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study from a social norms perspective.Frontiers in global women's health · 2022Article
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5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
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Abstract
backgroundEarly marriage is not uncommon in Ethiopia, particularly for adolescent girls in rural settings. Social norms are among the factors believed to perpetuate early marriage practices. This qualitative study explores social norms surrounding adolescent girls' marriage practices in West Hararghe, Ethiopia.
methodsThis study used the qualitative inquiry method to explore social norms in rural Ethiopia. Focus group discussions were conducted with purposively sampled married and unmarried adolescent girls, adolescent boys, and parents. A total of 158 individuals participated in the study, comprising 95 adolescents and 63 parents. Data were collected using locally developed vignettes. A thematic framework analysis approach using the Social Norms Analysis Plot (SNAP) was employed to diagnose and understand social norms.
resultsAdolescent girls' marriage was found to be mainly influenced by their peers who conform to prevailing social norms. Marrying one's first suitor was considered an opportunity not to be missed and a symbol of good luck. Relatives, neighbors, and marriage brokers facilitate adolescent girls' marriage in accordance with the local social norms. Girls usually accept the first marriage proposal regardless of their age, and they are highly expected to do so by their peers, parents, and influential others. Exceptions from the early marriage social norm include adolescent girls determined to continue their education and those having supportive teachers.
conclusionsIn this study context, social norms strongly encourage early marriage and are mainly perpetuated by peers of adolescent girls and influential adults. A strong determination to continue education on the part of girls, strong school performance, and supportive schoolteachers are important conditions for circumventing social norms on early marriage. As social norms evolve slowly, we recommend periodical assessment in order to develop locally appropriate interventions against early marriage.
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