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Abstract
Adolescence has historically been dominated by Western-centric frameworks, often overlooking or misrepresenting the diverse realities of adolescents in non-Western societies. Their exclusion from global adolescent discourse reinforces a deficit and reductionist perspective that frames adolescence in the global South through lenses of “lack” or “difference” rather than recognising their unique strengths, resilience, and contextual adaptations with which they forge development. Non-Western adolescents navigate complex realities shaped by collective identities, intergenerational relationships, and resourceful responses to systemic challenges. These realities offer alternative pathways to development. For instance, their development is deeply embedded in communal values, personal strivings, social obligations, and cultural traditions that prioritise family, community, and cultural continuity. This review dwells on the limitations of dominant Eurocentric theoretical models and advocates for an inclusive approach that foregrounds cultural context in understanding adolescence in sub-Sahara Africa. Findings show that while adolescence in Euro-American traditions is typically understood as a universal, biological stage, with a focus on independence, cognitive development, and personal achievement/accomplishment as primary markers of maturity, emphasis is on the communal, contextual, and relational understanding of growth and development during adolescence in sub-Sahara Africa. In most societies in the region, cognitive development is viewed not just through the lens of individual achievement, but through collective participation, social responsibility, and the integration of cultural practices. Achievement is typically recognised through participation in cultural rites and rituals, the fulfillment of familial and societal roles, and the ability to maintain and strengthen relationships within the community. Personal accomplishments are deeply intertwined with collective welfare, and one’s success reflects the health and prosperity of their family, village, or social group. Rites of passage, such as initiation ceremonies, marriages, and communal work, serve as key milestones in marking personal growth and achievement. From a decolonial lens, this review emphasizes the importance of power dynamics, historical legacies, and global inequities in shaping adolescent experiences. It calls for a reimagining of adolescent development theory that not only acknowledges but also validates the richness and complexity of non-Western perspectives in conceiving and understanding adolescence.
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