Male menstruation: a ritual alternative to the oedipal transition
Lidz, R.W.; Lidz, T.
International Journal of Psycho-Analysis 58(1): 17-31
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7578 PMID: 838542 Document Number: 121753
Male menstruation refers to a ritual practiced, among others, by the natives of Australian New Guinea and involves the formal transition of the boy into the male division of society. During the ritual, the boys are forced to induce nasal bleeding and vomiting by self-inflicted injury. Insights into problems of sexual identity in the male and the relationship between masculine envy of women and the young boy's initial identification with his mother were discussed.