THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PHYSICAL GROWTH OF THE ADOLESCENT:
= Characterised by various changes in the child that lead to reproductive maturity.
Pituitary gland plays a major role in these changes.
Physical change starts when the hypothalamus section in the brain activates the pitui...
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT (EDT 1601)
–
THE ADOLESCENT
CHAPTER 2:
THE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADOLESCENT:
Teenage years = the years of the storm and stress
Puberty is not a single process, but encompasses a suit of developmental changes.
Puberty or adolescence is marked by a growth spurt and a range of pubertal changes.
(internal or external changes).
External bodily changes: for example, increase in height and mass, as well as
changes in bodily proportions
Internal bodily changes: for example, subtle changes in adolescents’ nutritional
needs and digestive processes, their motor capabilities and skills, and their strength
and endurance.
A complex interaction of hormones release by the pituitary and sex glands = drastic and rapid
physical changes of the body.
These factors often cause problems and stress for the adolescent:
Adolescents are acutely aware of their body and worry whether theirs will develop
naturally and acceptably.
Irregular growth (asynchronism) causes awkwardness, and they frequently seem
uncoordinated.
st
1 menarche can be traumatic for an unprepared girl.
Nightly semen emissions can cause shame, humiliation, uneasiness and guilt for a
boy.
Both genders are upset by acne (due to sensitivity about appearance)
Obesity can also damage an adolescents’ self-image, and can cause negative
psychological factors.
To develop a sense of identity Adolescents must :
- Accept the changes in their body
- Integrate the changes into their self-image and
- Retain a sense of community
(they should feel that they are still the same person)
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The way in which adolescents perceive their body may therefore have important
psychological consequences and may construct or improve the forming of the self-concept.
The self-concept is influenced by the following:
What adolescent feel other think of them:
The impression they make on their peer group: they conform to the social behaviour
of the group, and at times, also to their norms for physical appearance and
accomplishments.
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THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PHYSICAL GROWTH OF THE ADOLESCENT:
= Characterised by various changes in the child that lead to reproductive maturity.
Pituitary gland plays a major role in these changes.
Physical change starts when the hypothalamus section in the brain activates the pituitary
gland to secrete growth and sexual hormones.
Hormonal changes trigger a rapid increase in height and mass, as well as changes in the
body’s proportions.
Accelerated growth during adolescence:
= typical of the pubescent period.
During this period, various changes that take place lead to reproductive maturity.
Pituitary gland plays an important role in the commencement of pubescence.
Pubescence gradually gives way to puberty.
Puberty= seen as point at which reproductive maturity is reached.
Physical changes take place as follows:
Hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete growth and sex
hormones (somatotropin and gonadotropin)
These activating hormones activate most of the other endocrine glands
Endocrine glands in turn release their respective hormones into the adolescents
system. Hormones include sex hormones : testosterone and oestrogen.
Hormones stimulate the forming of sperm cells and ova (eggs) respectively and are
responsible for the development of the secondary sexual characteristics in boys and
girls
Activating hormones of pituitary gland also cooperate with other hormones, such as
thyroxin and cortisol, to promote the forming of bone and muscle.
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