Adolescent participation in health in Mexico (2014-2024): between risk and the guarantee of rights.

Abstract

Adolescents' right to participation is fundamental for recognizing their citizenship, enabling them to influence matters affecting their lives, particularly health-related issues. This study examines health participation initiatives for adolescents implemented by the Mexican government between 2014 and 2024, evaluating their alignment with established legal frameworks. While Mexico has made progress through instruments like the General Law on Children's and Adolescents' Rights (2014) and its ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), significant structural barriers remain.

This research analyzes how the Mexican State conceptualizes adolescents and facilitates their participation in health-related initiatives, assessing both achievements and limitations during the 2014-2024 period. Using an interpretive qualitative methodology, the study employed content analysis and critical discourse analysis tools. The findings reveal that despite legal advancements, persistent stigmatization of adolescence continues to impede the full realization of participatory rights in health matters. The study underscores the critical need for future research that genuinely prioritizes adolescent participation, acknowledging youth as active social contributors in all issues concerning them.