A cross-cultural study of female initiation rites

Brown, Judith K.

A cross-cultural study of female initiation rites

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 65 • American Anthropological Association • • Published In 1963 • Pages: 837-853 •

By Brown, Judith K.

Abstract

This study explores why initiation rites for girls are observed in some societies and absent in others. Further, the author seeks to understand cross-cultural variation in the rites.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
World Ethnographic Sample (WES)

Hypotheses (4)
Hypothesis	Supported
The presence of female initiation rites will be associated with societies in which girls stay in the domestic unit with their mothers 50% or more (matrilocal or bilocal societies)	Supported
Societies with patrilocal residence and exclusive mother-infant sleeping will be associated with female initiation rites involving extreme pain	Supported
Societies with male initiation rites involving both genital operation and isolation will be associated with painful initiation rites for females	Supported
The presence of female initiation rites will be associated with societies in which females make a significant contribution to subsistence activities	Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: emily.pitek

A cross-cultural study of female initiation rites

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 65 • American Anthropological Association • • Published In 1963 • Pages: 837-853 • Cite

By Brown, Judith K.

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (4)

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 65 • American Anthropological Association • • Published In 1963 • Pages: 837-853 •