A cross-cultural study of menstruation, menstrual taboos and related social variables

Ethos • Vol/Iss. 2 • Published In • Pages: 137-170 •
By Montgomery, Rita E.

Hypothesis

"Men as well as women observe prepartum taboos to ensure a successful delivery and a healthy child . . . [more frequently in cultures with low menstrual taboo scores than in cultures with high menstrual taboo scores]" (159)

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Chi squareSupportedp<.001UNKNOWNUNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Menstrual Taboo ScoreAssociationAvoidance And Taboo
Participation Of Men In Prepartum TabosAssociationPregnancy

Related Hypotheses

Main AuthorHypothesis
Montgomery, Rita E."Men bury the placenta, 'rest', or observe post partum taboos . . . [more frequently in cultures with low menstrual taboo scores than in cultures with high menstrual taboo scores]" (162)
Montgomery, Rita E."Men are in attendance at birth, or else they are performing a special function elsewhere thought to ease the birth . . . [more frequently in cultures with low menstrual taboo scores that in cultures with high menstrual taboo scores]" (161)
Montgomery, Rita E."Men play a role in the physical or ritual attainment of puberty by females . . . [more frequently in cultures with low menstrual taboo scores than in cultures with high menstrual taboo scores]" (164)
Montgomery, Rita E."There exists cosmological or mythical reference to the importance of men in creation . . . [more frequently in cultures with low menstrual taboo scores than in cultures with high menstrual taboo scores]" (165)
Montgomery, Rita E."Active male participation [i.e. father must aid the development of the fetus after conception by repeated intercourse, warmth of father's body, etc.] is believed necessary for the consequent physical development of the fetus [in societies with low menstrual taboo scores rather than in societies with high menstrual taboo scores]"