And any such learning about the specificities of intervention design must begin by taking a step back to consider how parenting support to adolescents is best thought about including - but not limited to -child protection, youth empowerment, family strengthening and community cohesion. Ignoring this step risks significant compromise in policy and programme effectiveness through overlooking key parameters that affect what is possible and desirable in family life, as well as viable pathways to healthy and fulfilled adulthood in the east and southern African region. Identifying areas of cultural misalignment between practice in the region that is considered 'good parenting' and the content of 'positive parenting' models developed in the global north.