‘I Sacrificed My Values to Fit In’: Vulnerability, Social Pressures and Female Adolescents' Sexual Debut Decisions

ABSTRACT Adolescence represents a critical phase for identity formation and sexual development, yet vulnerability obfuscates these experiences, particularly for female adolescents. This paper describes how vulnerability and social pressures ‘sponsor’ sexual debut among female adolescents in cohabiting unions in Aboabo, Kumasi, Ghana. Using a narrative analysis, textual data were obtained from 12 female adolescents via interviews, centring on their sexuality‐related experiences in these unions. Two central themes emerged: (i) vulnerability as both a cause and consequence of sexual debut, which entails economic, emotional, social, spiritual and ideological vulnerabilities, and (ii) the interplay of identity and autonomy as recurrent struggles. The participants, adolescent girls aged 16–19, reported that economic and social vulnerabilities, along with the quest for ‘bodily autonomy and independence’, provoked sexual debut to satiate physiological, safety, belongingness and esteem needs, whereas this increased their vulnerability, marginalization and dissonance. The findings show difficulties female adolescents face in navigating economic, social and sexual identities amid pressures. Among other things, tailored and responsive interventions and social support that economically empower adolescent girls are recommended.