Changes in Puberty
What is the first thing that comes into our minds when we say puberty? Well, sex is the most common thought that pops out from the head of many people. However, there is much more than just sex when it comes to puberty. Puberty is a very unique and important evolving stage of all males and females. During puberty, guys and girls go through many changes that we might find funny, scary and even a little weird. Puberty is the changes in physiology, anatomy, and physical functioning that develops a person into a mature adult biologically and prepares the body for sexual reproduction (Arnett, 2013). The increased levels of sex hormones result in a variety of dramatic changes in the bodies of both male and female adolescents. These changes affect one’s body physically, emotionally, and socially.
Physical Changes
Some of the most significant parts of pubertal development involves distinctive physiological changes in an individual’s appearance. These changes are largely influenced by hormonal activity. For girls, physical changes might start around age 10 or 11, but this can be seen as young as 8, or as old as 13. Physical changes around puberty include breast development, changes in body shape and height, growth of pubic and body hair, and the start of their menstrual cycle. For boys, physical changes usually start around the ages of 11 and 12, this can be seen as young as 9, or as old as 14. Physical changes include growth of the penis and testes, height increase, change in body shape, erections with ejaculation, growth of body and facial hair, and changes to voice (Raising Children Network., 2011).
Emotional Changes
Since the body undergoes many changes during puberty, it is common for one to feel uncomfortable and become overly sensitive about their physical appearance. As a result, teens undergoing puberty have a tendency to be easily irritated and depressed due to their tendency to compare themselves to others, potentially lowering their self-esteem. Since adolescents are no longer children nor an adult, puberty can potentially lead to uncertain times. As a transition phase, one may begin to wonder and think about new and unfamiliar aspects of life and feel uncertain about the future. To add to the uncertainty and conflicting thoughts, it is not uncommon to experience frequent and sometimes extreme changes in your mood. These mood changes may occur due to shifting levels of hormones in the body (Raising Children Network, 2011). Also, during this time, it is normal for a boy or a girl to be sexually attracted to people that they would want to be more than just friends with.
Social Changes
According to Jeffery Arnett, when young people reach puberty, their close-knit relationships tend to change, especially with their parents. Just as adolescents have to adjust to the changes taking place in their bodies, parents have to adjust to the new person their child is becoming. Therefore, parents and adolescents have a tendency to be less comfortable in each other’s presence. In addition, young people are busy working out who they are and where they fit in. It is also very common for them to be more independent and want more responsibilities when it comes to making their own decisions. During puberty, young people also engage more with their peers than they do their parents because they can relate to their friends as they experiences the same changes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, during puberty, adolescents go through many different changes. The increased levels of sex hormones result in a variety of dramatic changes in the bodies of both male and female adolescents. These changes affect one’s body physically, emotionally, and socially. The overall appearance, attitude, and interactions of this young people drastically changes due to these increased hormones. Puberty is a period in an adolescences life where they transition from childhood into adulthood.
References
Arnett, J. (2013). Adolescents and emerging adulthood: A cultural approach (5th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
Raising Children Network. (2011, August 19). Early teens development: In a nutshell. Retrieved from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/early_teens_development_nutshell.html.