ABSTRACTAn interview study of 23 pre‐ and postmenarcheal girls was conducted to explore the experience of menarche. The subjective data obtained is presented in four categories: 1) emotional readiness for the event, 2) physical and emotional responses to the event, 3) cognitive understanding of the event, and 4) incorporation of the event into a developing self‐identity. Representative quotations from the girls are included in each category. Menarche is described as a crisis in development, in response to which girls may develop their own patterns of sexual behavior and contraceptive