Cultural interpretation of menstruation in relation to adolescent girls in Nigeria

Abstract

Early anthropological reportage on adolescence in developing countries was largely concentrated on research and reports relating to rites and celebrations of puberty. Present day occurrences in the Nigerian socio-cultural and global terrain have however called attention to the importance of sexual attitudes and behaviours in fostering knowledge about the adolescent girl in Nigeria. The paper notes that contemporary advocates of adolescents have largely based their intervention patterns on reproductive health care programmes which greatly undermine the subject of blood flow in the female individual especially as experienced from the subjective perspective of adolescent girls. Information derived from researching cultural information on menstruation and other forms of blood flow in adolescent girls in Nigeria can contribute extensively to existing knowledge about the female world in general and on adolescent girls in particular. This will further encourage ongoing advocacy programmes in channeling the development of adolescent girls in Nigeria towards an effective sustenance of adult life.

IFE PsychologIA Vol. 13(2) 2005: 219-228