Intro
Acknowledgment
Contents
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Setting the Scene
1.1 Introduction
1.2 This Research
1.3 Research Practice, Process and Procedure
1.4 A Note on Terminology
1.4.1 Menopause
1.4.2 Religious
1.5 Summary and Structure of the Book
References
Chapter 2: Life Course Approach & Understanding Body, Gender, and Sexuality
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Biographical Life Course
2.2.1 Life Course as a Concept
2.2.2 Pertinence of the Life Course: Viewing Menopause as a Turning Point

2.3 Exploring Theoretical Positions on Gender, Sexuality, the Body and Menopause
2.3.1 Patriarchy and Walby's Approach
2.3.2 Hegemony, Gender and the Gender Order
Hegemony
Gender
The Gender Order
Hegemonic Masculinity, Agency, and Cultural Consent
2.3.3 Pertinence of Connell's Gender Order Concept
2.4 Embodiment
2.4.1 Introduction
2.4.2 Notion of Body in Social Sciences
2.4.3 Perspectives toward Body and Reflexive Embodiment Techniques
2.4.4 Pertinence of Crossley's Reflexive Body Techniques Concept
2.5 Biographical Research Approach

2.5.1 Why Biographical Research?
Biographical Research Approach is Compatible with Feminist Paradigm
Biographical Research Approach is Compatible with the Theoretical Framework of This Research
Biographical Research is an Appropriate Paradigm for This Research to Answer the Research Questions
2.5.2 Biography as a Source of Authentic Data
2.6 Gender Order, Reflexive Body Techniques and Biographical Life course: Integration
2.6.1 Connell's Gender Order and Reflexive Body Techniques
2.6.2 Connell's Gender Order and Biographical Life Course Approach

2.6.3 Biographical Life Course Approach and Reflexive Embodiment
2.7 Conclusion and Summary
References
Chapter 3: Childhood
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Gender Discovery: When Family Didn't Want Me to be a Girl: Gender Discovery
3.2.1 Gender Discovery through Gender Discrimination
3.2.2 Gender Discovery through Sexual Awareness and Family Strategy
3.2.3 Gender Discovery through Physical Differences
3.3 Extra Things That Kept Growing and I Felt Shame: Puberty
3.3.1 Growing Breasts
3.3.2 Menstruation and Menarche
3.3.3 Family Management of Sexuality Signs

3.4 Bloody Napkin or Virginity Test: Virginity Proof System
3.5 'A Girl' and a 'Good Girl'
3.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Womanhood
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Entering Womanhood
4.2.1 Goes With White Dress, Returns with White Dress: Marriage
Timing of Marriage
Women's Perception of Marriage
Getting to Know the Husband
4.2.2 Just Keep Quiet and Be Still and Motionless: First Sexual Experiences
4.3 Participating Womanhood
4.3.1 Sex as a Joy or a Duty and Sacrifice
Responding to the Pressures of Sex in Marriage
Attitudes toward Sex