Masters Thesis

Menstruation education: critical reading of children's books teaching about puberty

Menarche is a significant milestone in a young girl's development, both biologically and culturally. My project research examines what young girls learn about menstruation from commercially published books. What lessons do books teach that influence the attitudes developed about menstrual bodies and the experience of menarche? Research has shown that a mother is the primary source of menstrual information, however, I opted to analyze books that are commercially printed and available at the public library. Seven children's books, written for prepubescent girls, were read and analyzed to determine what biological information, social expectations, and attitudes could be learned from them. There were large gaps in the biological information available to girls in 5 out of 7 books, including the purpose of the menstrual period. Common themes across books include reinforcing beliefs of shame and practices of concealment. My research suggests that it is important to more closely examine educational books to ensure more effective methods for teaching girls about the changes that happen in their body.

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