Adolescence: Age and Stage

This learning report discusses adolescence from a development perspective, setting out knowledge on adolescent biological and cognitive development and how such knowledge on adolescent development can inform international development research and practice. The paper offers a useful summary of the changes in adolescence and, in particular, focuses on the role of harmful and discriminatory gender and social norms during this life stage. The report draws on the findings from Johns Hopkins University’s Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS), focusing on the experiences of adolescent girls but also noting the impact of these harmful norms on adolescent boys.