1. Becoming a Woman: Puberty and Adolescence

2. Puberty Most girls enter puberty between the ages of 10-15 with the average age of menarche at 12. Most girls enter puberty between the ages of 10-15 with the average age of menarche at 12. “Fat Spurt” – girls gain on average 24 pounds at this time around the breasts, hips, thighs and buttocks. “Fat Spurt” – girls gain on average 24 pounds at this time around the breasts, hips, thighs and buttocks. 120 % increase in fat gain while boys gain muscle mass. 120 % increase in fat gain while boys gain muscle mass.

3. Menarche Refers to the first time a girl Refers to the first time a girl starts to menstruate. Mid 19th century Britain, the average ago of first menarche was 15- 16 years old whereas today the average age is 12. Mid 19th century Britain, the average ago of first menarche was 15- 16 years old whereas today the average age is 12.

4. Factors in Early Menarche a) Nutrition – undernourished girls have delayed menstruation but girls in North America today tend to be over-nourished. a) Nutrition – undernourished girls have delayed menstruation but girls in North America today tend to be over-nourished. b) Hormones in animal food products, pesticides and plastics of bottled water lead to more estrogen being absorbed by young girls and starting to menstruate earlier. b) Hormones in animal food products, pesticides and plastics of bottled water lead to more estrogen being absorbed by young girls and starting to menstruate earlier. c) Exposure to sex, pornography, provocative dress etc. may prime brain to earlier sexual maturation. c) Exposure to sex, pornography, provocative dress etc. may prime brain to earlier sexual maturation.

5. The Conspiracy of Silence Culture of silence and embarrassment around menstruation. Culture of silence and embarrassment around menstruation. Heightens girl’s insecurities, maintain secrecy and shame, and perpetuates negative views about menstruation. Heightens girl’s insecurities, maintain secrecy and shame, and perpetuates negative views about menstruation.

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

7. In Tierra Del Fuego in South America girls are initiated though a ‘course of moral, social and religious instruction along with the boys but received separate teaching from old women of the community about applying the wisdom of womanhood. In Tierra Del Fuego in South America girls are initiated though a ‘course of moral, social and religious instruction along with the boys but received separate teaching from old women of the community about applying the wisdom of womanhood. A group was formed with the purpose to teach girls about the ‘secrets of sexuality and fertility’ by these older women who also introduced them in the female customs of the groups. A group was formed with the purpose to teach girls about the ‘secrets of sexuality and fertility’ by these older women who also introduced them in the female customs of the groups. In Australia, the Aborigines treat a girl to "love magic." The women teach her of the female powers and the physical changes marking womanhood. In Australia, the Aborigines treat a girl to "love magic." The women teach her of the female powers and the physical changes marking womanhood. When a Japanese girl has her first period, the family celebrates by eating red-colored rice and beans. When a Japanese girl has her first period, the family celebrates by eating red-colored rice and beans. The Ulithi (oo-lith-ee) tribe of Micronesia call a girl's menarche kufar (koo-faar); She goes to a menstrual house, where the women bathe her and recite spells. The girl then returns to the menstrual house when her next period comes. The Ulithi (oo-lith-ee) tribe of Micronesia call a girl's menarche kufar (koo-faar); She goes to a menstrual house, where the women bathe her and recite spells. The girl then returns to the menstrual house when her next period comes.

8. Sri Lanka notes the time and day. An astrologer is contacted, who studies the star's alignment at the noted moment, in order to predict the girl's future. Her house is prepared for a ritual bathing, where the girl is scrubbed all over her body by the women of the family; she then is dressed in white. Printed invitations for a party are sent out, during which the girl receives money and special gifts. Sri Lanka notes the time and day. An astrologer is contacted, who studies the star's alignment at the noted moment, in order to predict the girl's future. Her house is prepared for a ritual bathing, where the girl is scrubbed all over her body by the women of the family; she then is dressed in white. Printed invitations for a party are sent out, during which the girl receives money and special gifts. In some remote parts of India, a tribal girl who has reached puberty is given a ceremonial bath, decked with ornate jewels and garments, and the girl's kith and kin are all invited for a ceremony, in which it is announced that the girl has come of age and that celebrations follow. In some remote parts of India, a tribal girl who has reached puberty is given a ceremonial bath, decked with ornate jewels and garments, and the girl's kith and kin are all invited for a ceremony, in which it is announced that the girl has come of age and that celebrations follow. In Nepal, Kumaris are young girls worshiped as goddesses by Hindus and some Buddhists, at the onset of menarche it is believed the goddess spirit vacates her body and they are returned to ordinary life after a series of rituals. In Nepal, Kumaris are young girls worshiped as goddesses by Hindus and some Buddhists, at the onset of menarche it is believed the goddess spirit vacates her body and they are returned to ordinary life after a series of rituals.

9. The Navajo Indians have a celebration called kinaalda (kinn-all- duh). Girls run footraces to show strength. A cornmeal pudding is made for the tribe to taste. The girls who experience menarche wear special clothes and style their hair like the Navajo goddess "Changing Woman.” The Nootka Indians believe menarche to be a time for a 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 shore of the village. The Nootka Indians believe menarche to be a time for a 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 shore of the village. The Mescalero Apaches consider their menarche celebration the most important. Each year, an 8-day-long ceremony is celebrated in honor of each girl who began her period earlier that year. The first four days include feasting and dancing. Boy singers recount the history of the tribe each evening. The other four days are a private celebration during which girls have a private ceremony, reflecting on their passing into womanhood. The Mescalero Apaches consider their menarche celebration the most important. Each year, an 8-day-long ceremony is celebrated in honor of each girl who began her period earlier that year. The first four days include feasting and dancing. Boy singers recount the history of the tribe each evening. The other four days are a private celebration during which girls have a private ceremony, reflecting on their passing into womanhood.

12. Menstrual Pain Refers to painful cramps in the abdominal region. Refers to painful cramps in the abdominal region. Also includes headaches, nausea, fatigue and pain in the lower back and upper thighs. Also includes headaches, nausea, fatigue and pain in the lower back and upper thighs. Estimates range from 50-75% of high school and college age women report menstrual pain. Estimates range from 50-75% of high school and college age women report menstrual pain. Leading cause of young women’s absence from school or work. Leading cause of young women’s absence from school or work.

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

14. Why PMS? 1- Psychological factors such as anxiety and strong endorsement of traditionally feminine gender roles and; 1- Psychological factors such as anxiety and strong endorsement of traditionally feminine gender roles and; 2-Cultural factors such as our culture’s belief that PMS is a well established fact and the emphasis on biological explanations. 2-Cultural factors such as our culture’s belief that PMS is a well established fact and the emphasis on biological explanations.

15. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Symptoms: depressed mood, anxiety, mood shifts, irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating and staying focused, fatigue, loss of energy, overeating, food cravings, insomnia, or oversleeping, and physical symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches and pains (APA, 1994). Symptoms: depressed mood, anxiety, mood shifts, irritability, anger, difficulty concentrating and staying focused, fatigue, loss of energy, overeating, food cravings, insomnia, or oversleeping, and physical symptoms such as weight gain, bloating, breast tenderness or swelling, headache, and muscle or joint aches and pains (APA, 1994). Currently treated with antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Currently treated with antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Genealogy of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is historically rooted in the hysteria. Genealogy of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is historically rooted in the hysteria.

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

17. Menstrual Joy!!! “How might it have been different for you if, on your first Menstrual day, your mother had given you a bouquet of flowers and taken you to lunch, and then the two of you had gone to meet your father at the jeweler, where your ears were pierced, and your father bought you your first pair of earrings, and then you went with a few of your friends and your mothers friends to get your first lip coloring; and then you went for the first time to the Women’s lodge to learn the wisdom of women? How might your life be different?” (Judith Duerk, Circle of Stones). (Judith Duerk, Circle of Stones).

18. Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom Dr. Christiane Northrup Dr. Christiane Northrup Women receive and process Women receive and process information differently at different times in their cycles and rather than seeing this as unstable, diseased or as a problem, women should learn about their cycles and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. information differently at different times in their cycles and rather than seeing this as unstable, diseased or as a problem, women should learn about their cycles and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them.

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

20. Breast Development Teasing Teasing Embarrassment about comments made at school or by family. Embarrassment about comments made at school or by family. Anxiety about growing up. Anxiety about growing up. Anxiety about not having the ‘right breasts’ not big enough etc. Anxiety about not having the ‘right breasts’ not big enough etc. Unwanted sexual attention. Unwanted sexual attention. Girls that mature earlier, date more, are sexually active earlier, and tend to engage in ‘adult behaviors’ like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse at earlier ages. Girls that mature earlier, date more, are sexually active earlier, and tend to engage in ‘adult behaviors’ like smoking, drinking and sexual intercourse at earlier ages. Negative implications on academic performance. Negative implications on academic performance.

21. Body Image and Physical Attractiveness Eating Disorders and depression Eating Disorders and depression Excessive concern for weight has been tied to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Excessive concern for weight has been tied to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Those who perceive the pressure to be thin, are dissatisfied with their bodies and have a lack of social support are the most vulnerable to negative media images and the most likely to develop an eating disorders. Those who perceive the pressure to be thin, are dissatisfied with their bodies and have a lack of social support are the most vulnerable to negative media images and the most likely to develop an eating disorders. Girls have higher rates of depression beginning at age 13. Girls have higher rates of depression beginning at age 13. Early maturing girls (those who reach menarche before the age of 11 have the highest rate of depressive symptoms. Early maturing girls (those who reach menarche before the age of 11 have the highest rate of depressive symptoms.

22. Friendships and Relationships Girls self esteem is highly related to the quality of their friendships. Girls self esteem is highly related to the quality of their friendships. Silencing Silencing Adolescence and even adult women silence themselves, or are silenced in relationships rather than risk open conflict and disagreement that might lead to isolation or interpersonal violence. Adolescence and even adult women silence themselves, or are silenced in relationships rather than risk open conflict and disagreement that might lead to isolation or interpersonal violence.

23. “ Adolescence is at time of disconnection, sometimes of dissociation or repression in women’s lives, so that women often do not remember- tend to forget or to cover over- what as girls thy have experienced and known.” “ Adolescence is at time of disconnection, sometimes of dissociation or repression in women’s lives, so that women often do not remember- tend to forget or to cover over- what as girls thy have experienced and known.” Struggling over speaking and not speaking, knowing and not knowing, feeling and not feeling. Struggling over speaking and not speaking, knowing and not knowing, feeling and not feeling. “Are these losses of voice and relationship necessary, and if not, how can they be prevented?” “Are these losses of voice and relationship necessary, and if not, how can they be prevented?”

24. Girls Relational Aggression

25. Group Work a) What actions can parents and teachers help to enhance the self esteem of adolescent girls? a) What actions can parents and teachers help to enhance the self esteem of adolescent girls? b) Design a ritual in which to mark a girl’s first menarche? Who would be involved? What would you do? Where would you go? Say? See? b) Design a ritual in which to mark a girl’s first menarche? Who would be involved? What would you do? Where would you go? Say? See? c) Pretend you have been asked to give a lecture to a junior high school girls about puberty. What information would you provide these girls? What information would you omit at this time from your lecture? c) Pretend you have been asked to give a lecture to a junior high school girls about puberty. What information would you provide these girls? What information would you omit at this time from your lecture?