Current research questions whether the influences of puberty on adolescents are as strong as previously believed. Have the effects of puberty been exaggerated? While it’s true that puberty affects some teens more acutely than others, puberty is generally a less dramatic event for teens.
Before continuing in this article, let’s agree on what puberty is. It is a biological change that children go through that causes bodily changes as well as emotional changes. It also includes the maturation of thought and moral development, in the way adolescents see themselves and others.
Although puberty occurs at an alarmingly earlier age in boys, puberty typically begins between the ages of 8 and 13 for girls and between the ages of 9 and 14 for boys. If it occurs before age 8 for girls and before age 9 for boys, it is considered early (precocious) development. Puberty is considered delayed if it has not started before age 13 for girls and age 14 for boys.
First signs of puberty for girls (average age 10) It is the incipient breast and subsequent breast development. This change is followed by the growth of pubic hair and underarm hair. The first menstrual period (menarche) usually occurs around age 12. However, menarche is progressing earlier in some girls, particularly African-American girls. There is a growth spurt during puberty, and girls will reach a final adult height about two years after menarche. Weight gain and widening of the pelvic area is also observed. Puberty, as a complete process, lasts 3-4 years.
Puberty starts later for Children. The average age of onset of puberty is around 11 years. The first development observed is the enlargement of the testicles. This is later followed by the growth of pubic hair, as well as armpit, armpit, chest, and facial hair. The deepening of the male’s voice is also observed. The growth of muscle mass and the ability to have erections and ejaculate (especially nocturnal emissions, “wet dreams”) occur and this and other processes of sexual maturation occur over a period of 3 to 4 years.
Puberty is also associated with adolescents with increased perspiration, body odor, and acne. It is important for the reader to understand that there can be a wide variation in the onset and progression of puberty.
As in other studies of human growth and development, stress can be associated with bodily changes, puberty being no exception. However, have the effects of puberty been exaggerated? Current research indicates that the vast majority of adolescents cope with this stress effectively. Among the many questions posed to hundreds of adolescents in my research (2010), several questions concerned their views on puberty. Let’s “hear” what the teens had to say.
Was the onset of puberty a problem for you?
1. Yes – 2. No
Men: 1.7% – 2.93%
Women: 1.7% – 2.93%
Would you describe the onset of puberty as reaching:
1. Arrived too early – 2. Average – 3. Too late
Men: 1.7% – 2.91% – 3.2%
Women: 1.18% – 2.78% – 3.4%
If puberty came too soon for you, did it create unwanted attention from your peers?
others of the opposite sex?
1. Yes – 2. No
Men: 1.26% – 2.74%
Women: 1.58% – 2.42%
Clearly from my sample of adolescents, puberty was not considered problematic, traumatic, or a problem for our adolescents. Male and female respondents were exactly the same in their answers.
More women reported that they perceived puberty to come too early than men, by a margin of two to one, and women felt that too early (precocious) created a problem for them again, by a margin of two to one.
Most adults seem to have a negative view of the onset of puberty for their teens and fear the consequences of puberty and are quick to attribute their teens’ negative behaviors to the onset of puberty.
Finally, recent research strongly suggests that puberty has less dramatic effects for most adolescents than is commonly thought. Of course, parents should counsel their children and prepare for the changes they are about to go through.