Young Committed Relationship: Lived Experiences of Married Adolescent Males: A Scoping Review

Early marriage among adolescent males was a complex social phenomenon that significantly influenced their psychosocial development. While the experiences of young married females had been extensively studied, the lived experiences of married adolescent males remained underexplored. This scoping review aimed to bridge this gap by synthesizing existing literature on the identity development, relational dynamics, and sexual experiences of married adolescent males. The review systematically explored three core areas: self-perception and appearance, relational identity and role adjustment, and sexual identity and intimacy. Following the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework, a systematic search across multiple databases, including Google Scholar, JSTOR, Scopus, PubMed, and ERIC, alongside relevant grey literature, was conducted. Studies published between 2000 and 2024, focusing on adolescent males (aged 15–19) who were married, were included. Data were extracted, charted, and thematically analyzed, which revealed three major themes: (1) Self-Perception and Appearance, where young husbands deprioritized personal grooming due to economic pressures; (2) Relational Identity and Role Adjustment, which highlighted the emotional and decision-making challenges of early marriage; and (3) Sexual Identity and Intimacy, where initial sexual enthusiasm often declined due to stress and unmet expectations. The findings underscored the multifaceted challenges faced by married adolescent males, who navigated complex identity transitions while assuming adult responsibilities prematurely. This review highlighted the need for gender-sensitive interventions, inclusive sexuality education, and further research that foregrounded the voices of young married males.