Adolescence is a period characterized by rapid physical, cognitive and social changes, including sexual and reproductive maturation; the gradual building up of the capacity to assume adult behaviors and roles involving new responsibilities requiring new knowledge and skills. It is also a period which poses new challenges to health and development owing to their relative vulnerability and pressure from society, including peers. These challenges include developing an individual identity and dealing with one‘s sexuality. India has one of the fastest growing youth populations in the world. The vast majority of adolescents, (children in the 10-19 age group) account for 22.8% of the population of India and girls below 19 years of age constitute one-fourth of India‘s fast growing population. The focus on 14-18 years is guided by the fact that there are legislations protecting children up to 14 years however no such guarantees exist for children in the 14-18 years age group, who live in precarious conditions due to deprivation of education, early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, childbearing and rearing, untimely entry into the labour force, and exploitation at home and at workplace.
URL : 20140127044949.pdf