The impact of environmental factors on the speed of events regarding maturity in schoolgirls from Cambé, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of socioeconomic and cultural indicators on the pace of maturity. The sample consisted of 163 schoolgirls (11-12 year old) from Cambé, Paraná, Brazil. Cultural and socioeconomic variables were collected by using social inventories, while maturity status was measured according to Tanner method (1962) adapted by Bonjardim and Hegg (1988). The findings showed that higher socioeconomic level groups (A and B) presented lower pace of maturity status (p < 0.05). Despite the fact that there was not a general tendency, the results suggest a clear interference of the environment and it may be linked to several factors, especially that girl’s needs for having a role within her family and even her own heredity.