Exploring the Link between Societal Norms-Customs and Female Adolescents’ Well-being in Rural Area”

This exploratory study examines how social norms and customs influence the well-being of married female adolescents in rural Bangladesh. The research, conducted in Bagmara Upazila, used a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data from 150 randomly selected married female adolescents and 15 focus group discussions. Findings reveal a strong link between socioeconomic status and adherence to social norms and customs. The majority of respondents were from the middle-income class (60%), who followed norms with moderate flexibility, while those from the lower-income class (23.33%) adhered to them more strictly. The study found that a significant portion of the girls (90%) experienced health problems resulting from these social norms and customs, including menstrual taboos and gender-based food inequality. These practices led to prevalent issues like malnutrition, anemia, and mental health disorders. Most adolescents (80%) mentioned care from local village doctors, indicating limited access to formal healthcare services. The findings suggest that restrictive social norms and customs significantly impact the health and overall well-being of rural adolescent girls.