Changing Gender Gaps in Reproductive Trajectories and Pathways to Transition to Adulthood among Indian Youths

Prasenjit De, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Manas Ranjan Pradhan, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

The journey through late adolescence to the twenties is a dynamic phase marked by key life events, including first sexual intercourse, marriage, and birth, which serve as crucial milestones in the transition to adulthood (TTA). There is limited evidence on the extent of gender disparities in the timing of key life course events and pathways to TTA in India. This study investigates evolving gender gaps in the reproductive trajectories of youth and their TTA. The study used a sample of 9,23,771 women and men aged 15-29 from the last three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (2005-06 to 2019-21). The outcome variables were age at first sexual intercourse, first union formation/marriage, and first childbirth. Kaplan- Meier estimator was used to calculate the median ages and inter-quartile ranges at which each event occurs. The sequence analysis approach will be adopted to identify key reproductive events' occurrence, timing, and sequencing. The results are expected to uncover gender differences in the ages of key life events and the distinct life course trajectories, categorized into rapid, gradual, and late transitions. This study will enhance understanding of reproductive transitions and the diverse experiences of youths as they navigate through this critical life stage.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Gender Dynamics, Families, Unions and Households, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See extended abstract.