Critical Role of Education in Transformation of Marginalized Adolescent Girls

Several social and psychological changes take place during the crucial phase of adolescence. This study aims to examine the impact of schooling on the self-awareness of adolescent girls in rural India as compared tothose residing in urban India. Using an interview schedule, the study purports the reasons why changes in adolescent girls occur with respect to wellbeing, cultural beliefs and values, and their aspirations and visions for the future. The findings reveal that changes in the aspirations of these young girls is a result of schooling. It is noteworthy that with time, changes in wellbeing and cultural beliefs and values are also altered. The research involves the girls to respond to statements based on how they feel about them now and how they felt about them a year ago. Thus, we find that schooling has an impact on adolescent girls awareness and internalization of sociocultural attitudes towards the future.