research on menarche custom

[Tóth Györgyi]

I'm forwarding a request concerning research on Jewish women whose
mothers slapped them at menarche.  Please respond to Lana Thompson.

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>Introduction to the study
>
>Menarche is the term that is used by anthropologists and medical
>professionals to refer to the first menstrual period. At the present
>time, the average age is 12.9 years. This age has decreased since the
>middle of the 18th century when it is estimated that it was between 15
>and 16.
>
>In many cultures, there are ceremonies marking this event. They are
>referred to as "coming of age" or "passages." Some cultures celebrate
>the event. Other cultures may segregate the girl until she stops
>bleeding.
>
>Among certain people in the U.S. (and maybe other places) there is a
>custom of slapping the young menstruant's (girl who has her first
>period) face.
>
>This initial research will explore the phenomenon of face slapping.  The
>data will be used to find commonalities.
>
>Your cooperation is appreciated. It is completely anonymous and your
>name will not be used. For the validity of social science research,
>please assign yourself a number (four digit) so that we can identify
>that data set.
>
>Thank you,
>
>
>Lana Thompson, M.A.
>P.O. Box 1245
>Boca Raton, FL 33429
>Vesalius at worldnet.att.net
>
>Number________ Your name or initials:_____________________________
>
>1. How old were you when you first got your period (reached menarche)?
>
>2. How old are you now?
>
>3. Did your mother slap your face?     No   Yes
>
>If you answered yes to question #3, go on to the next question
>
>4. What did your mother say when she slapped your face?
>
>
>5. What kind of message did her action and words communicate?
>
>(Example: congratulatory, punitory, positive, negative, accusatory-not
>limited to these examples)
>
>6. Where did you live when you first started your menstrual
>periods?_____________________
>
>               Geographic location
>
>7. Do you (or did you) have any daughters?     No   Yes
>
>If you answered yes to question #7,  go on to the next question
>
>8. When they reported that they had their first period, did you slap
>their face(s)? No   Yes
>
>If you answered yes to question #8, list each daughter and age at
>menarche in the table below.
>
>Daughter
>(initials) Age now  Age at menarche      What was said after slap
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>9.  Do you have any ideas about this custom? Why does it exist?