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Related Experiment Videos

Women's menarche stories from a multicultural sample.

Ayse K Uskul1

  • 1Psychology Department, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada. auskul@yorku.ca

Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|June 5, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This study explored women's personal experiences with menarche, revealing diverse feelings and challenges. Cultural and societal factors significantly influenced these experiences, often marked by secrecy rather than celebration.

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Area of Science:

  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Women's Health

Background:

  • Menarche, the onset of menstruation, is a significant life event for women.
  • Understanding personal and cultural experiences surrounding menarche is crucial for women's health and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine women's personal experiences with menarche.
  • To explore the influence of cultural, religious, and societal environments on menarche experiences.
  • To identify common themes and variations across different cultural backgrounds.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted 13 focus groups with 53 women from 34 different countries.
  • Collected qualitative data on personal feelings, mother's reactions, understanding of meanings, menstrual product management, education, and age at menarche.
  • Analyzed discussions on cultural, religious, and societal influences, noting themes of secrecy and adherence to norms.

Main Results:

  • Personal experiences included varied emotions, importance of maternal response, understanding societal meanings, managing menstrual hygiene, and formal education.
  • Cultural, religious, and societal environments often imposed secrecy around menarche.
  • Few women reported experiencing rituals or celebrations during menarche, with significant cross-cultural differences observed.

Conclusions:

  • Menarche experiences are shaped by both individual factors and broader socio-cultural contexts.
  • Secrecy and adherence to cultural norms are prevalent, overshadowing positive rituals or celebrations.
  • Further research should explore these variations to support women's health globally.

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