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Can "stepping-stone" strategies help societies transition away from harmful social norms without becoming entrenched in intermediate practices? 

CID faculty affiliate Eliana La Ferrara and co-authors introduces a theoretical framework to analyze whether intermediate actions can serve as "stepping stones" to transition societies away from harmful norms in a recent paper entitled "A Stepping Stone Approach to Norm Transitions." The paper provides both theoretical and empirical insights, using the case of female genital cutting (FGC) in Somalia to explore the dynamics of norm change and the conditions under which intermediate actions may facilitate or hinder transitions.

Key Findings:

• Theoretical Framework: The model explores the dual role that intermediate actions (for example, a less harmful variant of a harmful norm) can play in norm transitions.
  • They may serve as a stepping stone by making change more accessible for those unwilling to take an immediate, drastic step. By reducing the perceived costs of moving away from a deeply ingrained norm, intermediate actions can lower resistance to further progress.
  • Yet if the intermediate norm is perceived as sufficiently less harmful, it may reduce incentives for individuals to transition further to the least harmful action.
  • Whether the intermediate action facilitates or hinders transition depends on the balance between intrinsic benefits and social penalties associated with adopting the intermediate or least harmful norm.
• Empirical Analysis in Somalia: Using original data on FGC in Somalia, the study finds that Sunna (a less invasive form of FGC) has largely replaced Pharaonic cutting (a more invasive form) but shows no robust evidence of facilitating a transition to a norm of no cutting (Uncut). Instead, Sunna appears to be an absorbing norm, likely to persist absent significant interventions.
• Policy Implications: The findings highlight the risks of promoting intermediate actions without considering their long-term dynamics. However, the model also suggests that small policy shifts, such as reducing sanctions against not cutting or increasing awareness of the health benefits of avoiding cutting, could tip the balance and prevent Sunna from becoming permanently entrenched.

Policy Impact and Relevance:

This research provides a framework for understanding how societies transition away from harmful norms and practices, offering a nuanced perspective on the potential role of intermediate actions. By formalizing the conditions under which intermediate norms can either facilitate or obstruct change, the study equips policymakers and practitioners with tools to design interventions that balance short-term compromises with long-term societal goals. This is especially crucial in contexts where outright elimination of harmful practices may face resistance, as the adoption of intermediate steps can serve as a pragmatic starting point—provided they do not become entrenched as new norms.

Beyond the specific case of FGC in Somalia, the study’s findings have far-reaching implications for addressing a variety of entrenched social norms. From reducing child marriage to combating smoking or increasing women’s labor force participation in conservative societies, the stepping-stone framework highlights the importance of carefully calibrating policies to ensure that intermediate actions lead to further progress rather than stalling reform. This approach underscores the complexity of norm change and the necessity of accounting for social pressures, intrinsic incentives, and community dynamics in crafting effective solutions.

At a broader level, this research advances the understanding of how societal change unfolds over time. The framework applies to many domains: for female labor force participation, remote work can serve as an intermediate step before full workforce integration; for smoking reduction, e-cigarettes may help some quit but risk becoming a long-term substitute. By integrating empirical evidence with theoretical modeling, this study sheds light on how intermediate actions can either accelerate or hinder norm transitions, offering policymakers concrete strategies for designing interventions that address persistent harmful practices.