Psychosocial Approach Towards Issues, Challenges and Solutions Concerning Adolescent Girls in India

Abstract

Girls below 19 years of age comprises one-quarter of India’s rapidly growing population. Life of many young girls is a painful tug of war filled with mixed messages and conflicting demands from parents, teachers, coaches, employers, friends and oneself. It creates stress and it can create serious depression for young people ill-equipped to cope, communicate and solve problems. Several policy documents in India have also recognized adolescents as an underserved vulnerable group which needs reproductive health information and services. Majority of girl dropouts at school level have limited choices available for the future. They are caught in the cycle of early marriage, repeated pregnancy, and poverty. Still those girls somehow managed going to college faces a number of challenges. This paper examines the significance of various psychological constructs and psychosocial issues that are important in the life of a “girl” of our country. What issues either educational, psychological, health, social and family bother to college going girls? What areas of adjustment should be taken care off? Either educational, emotional, health or social adjustment areas need to be taken care, so as to make a girl fully adjusted towards overcoming the challenges. Suicide, substance use, technology addiction, academic pressure, bullying, career planning and the problem of plenty are some of the challenges faced by adolescent girls today. These challenges are described in detail in relation to girls. And how these issues and challenges can be overcome? How educational and health institutions can help in overcoming these challenges?