Adolescent Girls in Care and Protection Framework for Their Romantic Relationship

Increased interest in romantic relationships is central in adolescents ’lives and has long been considered defining features of adolescence. Romantic relationships have significant influence on emotional well-being of adolescents. In western context, romantic relationship has gained developmental significance, and majority of adolescents involved in romantic relationship. In Indian context, scientific literature on adolescent girls in romantic relationship is very minimal and studies focused upon sexuality-related issues and premarital sexual relationship. Due to social and cultural aspects, few adolescent girls who are involved in romantic relationship use run away from home as a solution to address their issues related to romantic relationship. These girls would come under care and protection under many circumstances such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and others. It is important to understand their issues to provide psychosocial intervention and facilitate healthy transition to adulthood. In this background, the study attempts to study their social profile. The study adopts retrospective exploratory research design and analysed case reports. The study followed ethical guidelines and abide by the rules of Juvenile Justice Act. The study has implication for designing intervention based on mental health and development perspective.