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Unravelling adolescent girls’ aspirations in Nepal: Status and associations with individual-, household-, and community-level characteristics

Author

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  • Dónya S Madjdian
  • Kenda Cunningham
  • Hilde Bras
  • Maria Koelen
  • Lenneke Vaandrager
  • Ramesh P Adhikari
  • Elise F Talsma

Abstract

Background: Adolescents’ aspirations have potential to influence their present and future well-being. Limited knowledge exists on adolescent girls’ aspirations and their determinants, particularly in low-income contexts. Methods and findings: Using cross-sectional data, collected in 2018 in Nepal, within the Suaahara II Adolescent Panel Survey, (n = 840), adolescent girls’ aspirations in several domains—education, occupation, marriage, fertility, health, and nutrition–were described. Regression models were estimated to explore associations between individual, household and community characteristics and these aspirations for all adolescents and separately for younger (10–14 years) and older (15–19 years) girls. Age, school attendance, and self-efficacy, as well as household wealth, caste/ethnicity, size, and agro-ecological zone of residence were significantly associated with aspirations, although effect sizes and significance varied by aspiration domain and age group. Conclusions: Findings underscore the curtailing effect of poverty on aspirations and the dynamic nature of aspirations. Initiatives to foster girls’ aspirations must address both individual and contextual factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Dónya S Madjdian & Kenda Cunningham & Hilde Bras & Maria Koelen & Lenneke Vaandrager & Ramesh P Adhikari & Elise F Talsma, 2021. "Unravelling adolescent girls’ aspirations in Nepal: Status and associations with individual-, household-, and community-level characteristics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0258416
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258416
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bernard, Tanguy & Dercon, Stefan & Taffesse, Alemayehu Seyoum, 2011. "Beyond fatalism: An empirical exploration of self-efficacy and aspirations failure in Ethiopia," IFPRI discussion papers 1101, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Pasquier-Doumer, Laure & Risso Brandon, Fiorella, 2015. "Aspiration Failure: A Poverty Trap for Indigenous Children in Peru?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 208-223.
    3. repec:dau:papers:123456789/12016 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Rao, Nitya & Singh, Chandni & Solomon, Divya & Camfield, Laura & Sidiki, Rahina & Angula, Margaret & Poonacha, Prathigna & Sidibé, Amadou & Lawson, Elaine T., 2020. "Managing risk, changing aspirations and household dynamics: Implications for wellbeing and adaptation in semi-arid Africa and India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
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