PROJECT
Comparative Studies on the Transitions to Adulthood

In addition to participating in research projects studying the transition to adulthood in various countries, Population Council staff members have been involved in comparative research on transitions to adulthood. Some of that research has provided background material for the work of the National Research Council’s (NRC) Panel on Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries. Specific topics have included a comparative analysis of trends in primary schooling in developing countries, with a particular focus on Africa; several related studies of trends in marriage age as well as marriage terms and conditions; and a comparative study of adolescents’ time use from a range of contexts in which the Council has conducted adolescent surveys.

The largest generation of young people in history is now making the transition from childhood to adulthood. Eighty-six percent of this group—nearly 1.5 billion individuals—live in the developing world. The lives of many of these young men and women are profoundly different from those of their parents. While change itself is not new, globalization has accelerated its speed and scale. Recognizing that the future of this generation depends on successfully negotiating this critical passage, the US National Academies' National Research Council and Institute of Medicine convened experts to review the available research and develop policy and program recommendations. Growing Up Global: The Changing Transitions to Adulthood in Developing Countries, shows that despite dramatic progress in certain areas, many young people still lack adequate schooling and good health—both of which are essential for ensuring their productivity and well-being. Cynthia Lloyd, director of social science research, served as chair of the panel and editor of the published report. Senior associates Barbara Mensch and Shireen Jejeebhoy also served as panel members.

Council staff members are also continuing to undertake comparative studies on the transitions to adulthood, including investigating the links between school dropout and premarital pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa and analyzing the changing context of sexual initiation. As documented in Growing Up Global, substantial reductions have occurred in the proportion of young women who report marrying as teenagers in sub-Saharan Africa in the last 20 years.

An oft-stated consequence of a delay in age at marriage is a rise in the proportion of young women who engage in premarital sex. Barbara Mensch, Monica Grant, and Ann Blanc recently completed a study that examined the links between changing age at marriage and premarital sexual behavior using Demographic and Health Survey data from 27 countries. The analysis revealed that although the age of first sexual activity has either remained the same or increased, a shift in the context of sexual debut from marriage to before marriage has taken place in many countries. The researchers assessed whether the rise in the proportion of young women who report premarital sex is influenced by an increase in exposure resulting from delayed marriage or by an increase in the rate of premarital sex. The evidence on this point is mixed; in some settings greater exposure “explains” more of the increase, whereas in others an increased rate of premarital sex dominates.

Location

Selected developing countries

Duration

1998–ongoing

Population Council researchers

Cynthia B. Lloyd, Sajeda Amin, Monica J. Grant, Kelly K. Hallman, Paul C. Hewett, Barbara S. Mensch

Donors

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Population Council

UK Department for International Development

Publications/Resources on this project

See Also

• Transitions to adulthood  

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This page updated 28 February 2006

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