Mt. Tania Mahzabin, Sultana Mustafa Khanum

Abstract: Social and religious norms significantly dictate the health trajectories of female adolescents in rural Bangladesh, often institutionalizing negative physical and mental health outcomes. This study examines the nature of these customs and the perceptions of community members and adolescents regarding their enforcement. This exploratory, mixed-methods study was conducted in Bagmara Upazila, Rajshahi. Primary data were collected from 150 married female adolescents who were selected randomly. The data were collected through in-depth interviews, case studies, and observations, supplemented by 15 Focus Group Discussions with the adolescents and community members. Findings reveal that restrictions on movement (e. g., adolescents cannot go outside their home alone for any purpose), driven by religious and familial beliefs, contribute to feelings of inferiority and anxiety. Harmful practices such as gender-based food inequality, food taboos, and early marriage are prevalent, with social and religious pressures causing 44% of respondents to marry early. While some positive health-related norms were identified, the negative effects were more prominent, causing depression and other health issues. So, a majority of respondents (58%) disliked the specific health-related norms, but 75.33% felt obligated to follow them. Furthermore, the data reveal a socio-economic gradient: affluent households are significantly less likely to observe restrictive customs compared to lower-income families who use norm-adherence to maintain social standing. These findings can inform policymakers and health organizations in developing culturally sensitive interventions to improve female adolescents’ health.

Keywords: adolescent, social and gender norms, health, food taboo, early marriage

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