Becoming a Woman: Becoming a Woman: Puberty and AdolescencePuberty and Adolescence

PubertyPuberty• Most girls enter puberty between the Most girls enter puberty between the

ages of 10-15 with the average age ages of 10-15 with the average age of menarche at 12.of menarche at 12.

• ““Fat Spurt” – girls gain on average Fat Spurt” – girls gain on average 24 pounds at this time around the 24 pounds at this time around the breasts, hips, thighs and buttocks. breasts, hips, thighs and buttocks.

• 120 % increase in fat gain while boys 120 % increase in fat gain while boys gain muscle mass.gain muscle mass.

MenarcheMenarche

• Refers to the first time a girl Refers to the first time a girl

starts to menstruate.starts to menstruate.

• Mid 19th century Britain, the average Mid 19th century Britain, the average ago of first menarche was 15- 16 ago of first menarche was 15- 16 years old whereas today the average years old whereas today the average age is 12.age is 12.

Factors in Early Factors in Early MenarcheMenarche

• a) Nutritiona) Nutrition – undernourished girls have delayed – undernourished girls have delayed menstruation but girls in North America today tend menstruation but girls in North America today tend to be over-nourished.to be over-nourished.

• b) Hormonesb) Hormones in animal food products, pesticides in animal food products, pesticides and plastics of bottled water lead to more estrogen and plastics of bottled water lead to more estrogen being absorbed by young girls and starting to being absorbed by young girls and starting to menstruate earlier. menstruate earlier.

• c) c) Exposure to sex,Exposure to sex, pornography, provocative pornography, provocative dress etc. may prime brain to earlier sexual dress etc. may prime brain to earlier sexual maturation.maturation.

The Conspiracy of The Conspiracy of SilenceSilence

• Culture of silence and Culture of silence and embarrassment around embarrassment around menstruation. menstruation.

• Heightens girl’s insecurities, maintain Heightens girl’s insecurities, maintain secrecy and shame, and perpetuates secrecy and shame, and perpetuates negative views about menstruation.negative views about menstruation.

• Most girls taught about Most girls taught about menstruation as a negative rite of menstruation as a negative rite of passage.passage.

• In Tierra Del Fuego in South America girls are initiated In Tierra Del Fuego in South America girls are initiated though a ‘course of moral, social and religious instruction though a ‘course of moral, social and religious instruction along with the boys but received separate teaching from along with the boys but received separate teaching from old women of the community about applying the wisdom of old women of the community about applying the wisdom of womanhood.womanhood.

• A group was formed with the purpose to teach girls about A group was formed with the purpose to teach girls about the ‘secrets of sexuality and fertility’ by these older women the ‘secrets of sexuality and fertility’ by these older women who also introduced them in the female customs of the who also introduced them in the female customs of the groups.groups.

• In Australia, the Aborigines treat a girl to "love magic." The In Australia, the Aborigines treat a girl to "love magic." The women teach her of the female powers and the physical women teach her of the female powers and the physical changes marking womanhood.changes marking womanhood.

• When a Japanese girl has her first period, the family When a Japanese girl has her first period, the family celebrates by eating red-colored rice and beans.celebrates by eating red-colored rice and beans.

• The Ulithi (oo-lith-ee) tribe of Micronesia call a girl's The Ulithi (oo-lith-ee) tribe of Micronesia call a girl's menarche kufar (koo-faar); She goes to a menstrual house, menarche kufar (koo-faar); She goes to a menstrual house, where the women bathe her and recite spells. The girl then where the women bathe her and recite spells. The girl then returns to the menstrual house when her next period returns to the menstrual house when her next period comes.comes.

• Sri Lanka notes the time and day. An astrologer is Sri Lanka notes the time and day. An astrologer is contacted, who studies the star's alignment at the noted contacted, who studies the star's alignment at the noted moment, in order to predict the girl's future. Her house is moment, in order to predict the girl's future. Her house is prepared for a ritual bathing, where the girl is scrubbed all prepared for a ritual bathing, where the girl is scrubbed all over her body by the women of the family; she then is over her body by the women of the family; she then is dressed in white. Printed invitations for a party are sent out, dressed in white. Printed invitations for a party are sent out, during which the girl receives money and special gifts.during which the girl receives money and special gifts.

• In some remote parts of India, a tribal girl who has reached In some remote parts of India, a tribal girl who has reached puberty is given a ceremonial bath, decked with ornate puberty is given a ceremonial bath, decked with ornate jewels and garments, and the girl's kith and kin are all jewels and garments, and the girl's kith and kin are all invited for a ceremony, in which it is announced that the invited for a ceremony, in which it is announced that the girl has come of age and that celebrations follow.girl has come of age and that celebrations follow.

• In Nepal, Kumaris are young girls worshiped as goddesses In Nepal, Kumaris are young girls worshiped as goddesses by Hindus and some Buddhists, at the onset of menarche it by Hindus and some Buddhists, at the onset of menarche it is believed the goddess spirit vacates her body and they is believed the goddess spirit vacates her body and they are returned to ordinary life after a series of rituals.are returned to ordinary life after a series of rituals.

The Navajo Indians have a celebration called kinaalda (kinn-all-The Navajo Indians have a celebration called kinaalda (kinn-all-duh). Girls run footraces to show strength. A cornmeal pudding duh). Girls run footraces to show strength. A cornmeal pudding is made for the tribe to taste. The girls who experience is made for the tribe to taste. The girls who experience menarche wear special clothes and style their hair like the menarche wear special clothes and style their hair like the Navajo goddess "Changing Woman.”Navajo goddess "Changing Woman.”

• The Nootka Indians believe menarche to be a time for a The Nootka Indians believe menarche to be a time for a physical strength test; the girl is taken out to sea and left physical strength test; the girl is taken out to sea and left alone. She is to swim back and is cheered upon returning to the alone. She is to swim back and is cheered upon returning to the shore of the village.shore of the village.

• The Mescalero Apaches consider their menarche celebration The Mescalero Apaches consider their menarche celebration the most important. Each year, an 8-day-long ceremony is the most important. Each year, an 8-day-long ceremony is celebrated in honor of each girl who began her period earlier celebrated in honor of each girl who began her period earlier that year. The first four days include feasting and dancing. Boy that year. The first four days include feasting and dancing. Boy singers recount the history of the tribe each evening. The other singers recount the history of the tribe each evening. The other four days are a private celebration during which girls have a four days are a private celebration during which girls have a private ceremony, reflecting on their passing into womanhood.private ceremony, reflecting on their passing into womanhood.

Menstrual PainMenstrual Pain

• Refers to painful cramps in the abdominal Refers to painful cramps in the abdominal region.region.

• Also includes headaches, nausea, fatigue Also includes headaches, nausea, fatigue and pain in the lower back and upper thighs.and pain in the lower back and upper thighs.

• Estimates range from 50-75% of high school Estimates range from 50-75% of high school and college age women report menstrual and college age women report menstrual pain.pain.

• Leading cause of young women’s absence Leading cause of young women’s absence from school or work.from school or work.

Premenstrual Syndrome Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)(PMS)

• Variety of symptoms that may occur Variety of symptoms that may occur a few days before menstruation and a few days before menstruation and include headaches, breast soreness, include headaches, breast soreness, swelling in some body regions, swelling in some body regions, increased sensitivity to pain, acne, increased sensitivity to pain, acne, various psychological reactions such various psychological reactions such as depression, irritability, anxiety as depression, irritability, anxiety and lethargy.and lethargy.

Why PMS?Why PMS?

• 1- Psychological factors such as 1- Psychological factors such as anxiety and strong endorsement of anxiety and strong endorsement of traditionally feminine gender roles traditionally feminine gender roles and; and;

• 2-Cultural factors such as our 2-Cultural factors such as our culture’s belief that PMS is a well culture’s belief that PMS is a well established fact and the emphasis established fact and the emphasis on biological explanations.on biological explanations.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)Disorder (PMDD)

• SymptomsSymptoms: depressed mood, anxiety, mood : depressed mood, anxiety, mood shifts, irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating shifts, irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating and staying focused, fatigue, loss of energy, and staying focused, fatigue, loss of energy, overeating, food cravings, insomnia, or overeating, food cravings, insomnia, or oversleeping, and physical symptoms such as oversleeping, and physical symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, breast tenderness or weight gain, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches and pains (APA, 1994). and pains (APA, 1994).

• Currently treated with antidepressants or anti-Currently treated with antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. anxiety drugs.

• Genealogy of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is Genealogy of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is historically rooted in the hysteria.historically rooted in the hysteria.

• Rodin (1992) Rodin (1992) • ““Although the discourses describing Although the discourses describing

ostensible causes of hysteria ostensible causes of hysteria changed over time… a woman’s changed over time… a woman’s sanity was consistently tied to her sanity was consistently tied to her reproductive system and her role in reproductive system and her role in society. This connection persists society. This connection persists today in the contemporary disease today in the contemporary disease category of PMS” (Rodin, 1992, p. category of PMS” (Rodin, 1992, p. 51).51).

Menstrual Joy!!!Menstrual Joy!!!

““How might it have been different for you if, on your How might it have been different for you if, on your firstfirst

Menstrual day, your mother had given you a Menstrual day, your mother had given you a bouquet of flowers and taken you to lunch, and bouquet of flowers and taken you to lunch, and then the two of you had gone to meet your father then the two of you had gone to meet your father at the jeweler, where your ears were pierced, and at the jeweler, where your ears were pierced, and your father bought you your first pair of earrings, your father bought you your first pair of earrings, and then you went with a few of your friends and and then you went with a few of your friends and your mothers friends to get your first lip coloring; your mothers friends to get your first lip coloring; and then you went for the first time to the and then you went for the first time to the Women’s lodge to learn the wisdom of women? Women’s lodge to learn the wisdom of women? How might your life be different?” How might your life be different?”

(Judith Duerk, Circle of Stones).(Judith Duerk, Circle of Stones).

Women’s Bodies, Women’s Women’s Bodies, Women’s WisdomWisdom

• Dr. Christiane NorthrupDr. Christiane Northrup• Women receive and process Women receive and process information differently at different times in information differently at different times in

their cycles and rather than seeing this as their cycles and rather than seeing this as unstable, diseased or as a problem, women unstable, diseased or as a problem, women should learn about their cycles and pay should learn about their cycles and pay attention to what their bodies are telling attention to what their bodies are telling them. them.

• Rather than looking at the extra sensitivity Rather than looking at the extra sensitivity of “PMS” as bad, crazy, diseased, of “PMS” as bad, crazy, diseased, pathological or needing to be fixed, women pathological or needing to be fixed, women can look at it as internal system that is can look at it as internal system that is warning them that something is wrong in warning them that something is wrong in their lives and to pay attention to it. their lives and to pay attention to it.

• The increased sensitivity is a gift of an The increased sensitivity is a gift of an insight.insight.

Breast DevelopmentBreast Development

• Teasing Teasing • Embarrassment about comments made at Embarrassment about comments made at

school or by family.school or by family.• Anxiety about growing up. Anxiety about growing up. • Anxiety about not having the ‘right breasts’ Anxiety about not having the ‘right breasts’

not big enough etc. not big enough etc. • Unwanted sexual attention. Unwanted sexual attention. • Girls that mature earlier, date more, are Girls that mature earlier, date more, are

sexually active earlier, and tend to engage sexually active earlier, and tend to engage in ‘adult behaviors’ like smoking, drinking in ‘adult behaviors’ like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse at earlier ages.and sexual intercourse at earlier ages.

• Negative implications on academic Negative implications on academic performance.performance.

Body Image and Physical Body Image and Physical AttractivenessAttractiveness

• Eating Disorders and depressionEating Disorders and depression• Excessive concern for weight has been tied to Excessive concern for weight has been tied to

eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. • Those who perceive the pressure to be thin, are Those who perceive the pressure to be thin, are

dissatisfied with their bodies and have a lack of dissatisfied with their bodies and have a lack of social support are the most vulnerable to social support are the most vulnerable to negative media images and the most likely to negative media images and the most likely to develop an eating disorders. develop an eating disorders.

• Girls have higher rates of depression beginning at Girls have higher rates of depression beginning at age 13. age 13.

• Early maturing girls (those who reach menarche Early maturing girls (those who reach menarche before the age of 11 have the highest rate of before the age of 11 have the highest rate of depressive symptoms. depressive symptoms.

Friendships and Friendships and RelationshipsRelationships

• Girls self esteem is highly related to Girls self esteem is highly related to the quality of their friendships.the quality of their friendships.

• SilencingSilencing• Adolescence and even adult women Adolescence and even adult women

silence themselves, or are silenced in silence themselves, or are silenced in relationships rather than risk open relationships rather than risk open conflict and disagreement that might conflict and disagreement that might lead to isolation or interpersonal lead to isolation or interpersonal violence.violence.

• “ “ Adolescence is at time of disconnection, Adolescence is at time of disconnection, sometimes of dissociation or repression in sometimes of dissociation or repression in women’s lives, so that women often do not women’s lives, so that women often do not remember- tend to forget or to cover over- remember- tend to forget or to cover over- what as girls thy have experienced and what as girls thy have experienced and known.”known.”

• Struggling over speaking and not speaking, Struggling over speaking and not speaking, knowing and not knowing, feeling and not knowing and not knowing, feeling and not feeling. feeling.

• ““Are these losses of voice and relationship Are these losses of voice and relationship necessary, and if not, how can they be necessary, and if not, how can they be prevented?”prevented?”

Girls Relational Girls Relational AggressionAggression

Group WorkGroup Work • a) What actions can parents and teachers help a) What actions can parents and teachers help

to enhance the self esteem of adolescent girls?to enhance the self esteem of adolescent girls?

• b) Design a ritual in which to mark a girl’s first b) Design a ritual in which to mark a girl’s first menarche? Who would be involved? What would menarche? Who would be involved? What would you do? Where would you go? Say? See?you do? Where would you go? Say? See?

• c) Pretend you have been asked to give a c) Pretend you have been asked to give a lecture to a junior high school girls about lecture to a junior high school girls about puberty. What information would you provide puberty. What information would you provide these girls? What information would you omit at these girls? What information would you omit at this time from your lecture? this time from your lecture?