Frontiers in Reproductive Health
The “puberty deadline”: cultural constructions of maturity, anticipated shame, and child marriage as a perceived risk-mitigation strategy in rural Niger
Introduction In rural Niger, child marriage remains highly prevalent, often functioning as a mechanism of risk mitigation. This qualitative study explores the cultural and bio-social drivers of child marriage, focusing on the intersection of physical maturation, anticipatory shame, and economic vulnerability. Methods The study drew on 53 in-depth interviews, six body mapping focus group discussions (FGDs), and 9 social norms mapping FGDs with adolescents, parents, and community leaders (n = 165) in the Maradi regio …