Does starting to menstruate mean you have 'become a woman'?

[JT]

Curious to what people think.
On a radio discussion last week a mother rang in to say that when her daughter, aged 12 started menstruating they went out to celebrate her 'becoming a woman'.

Bearing in mind girls are starting to menstruate at much earlier ages these days is it right we label them 'women' just because they've got their periods?

yes, the biology is there but does it really make them 'a woman'

discuss

Adam - sorry, I missed your question. I don't celebrate anything, really. I'm not a dour, joyless person, (I hope! )I just don't do the whole champagne toasts and announcements in the paper etc etc stuff. I am happy about things, I am sad about things, I just don't call attention to things!

You are right AdamAnt, its my Dad's embarrasment that causes me to feel like that in front of him.

Bud I dont see why it shouldnt be celebrated - ok, it has its unpleasant moments, but its a rite of passage I think.

I agree it doesnt make you a woman though.

Hecate - yah, newspaper announcements are shite, and a bit OTT for a first period even by my standards

Champagne on the other hand....