Liminality, Maternal Menstrual Knowledge and Socialization of Adolescent Daughters: A Qualitative Study in Pakistan

Abstract

This qualitative study explores mothers’ understanding of the pubertal process and how they socialize their daughters regarding menstruation at the advent of the adolescence stage. Thematic analysis of data from 34 females who had adolescent daughters revealed four themes: Daughters become adolescent earlier than before; onset of gender and religious socialization; understanding of female bodily processes; and euphemisms as communication tools. Findings indicate mothers focus on reproductive maturity that involves biological aspects of the transition from girls to women, along with an emphasis on social maturity that pertains to the need for girls to undergo gender and religious socialization to embrace new roles and relationships as women. Puberty may pose estrangement for mother anddaughter owing to informal control behind female reproductive health.