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Puberty:
The first phase of adolescence, the point in physical maturation when sexual reproduction is possible.
Pubertal changes are beginning of adolescence & puberty.
Changes divided in:
External bodily changes (height, weight)
Internal physiological changes (nutritional needs, motor capabilities
Adolescents assign meaning to the changes.
The meaning:
Influence experience & involvement with body
Depend on factors such as early / late maturation, menstruation, erection etc.
Feelings such as joy, pride, shame etc. is associated with the changes.
Changes cause problems/stress for adolescents:
Worry if development will be acceptable
Uncoordinated due to irregular growth
First menstruation could be traumatic
Semen emissions could cause shame
Acne as it affects appearance
Obesity decrease self-image
To develop identity adolescents must:
Accept changes
Integrate changes into the self-image
Still feel like the same person (continuity)
Adolescents’ perception of their body could obstruct or improve their self-concept.
Self concept is influenced by:
What they feel others think of them (humiliated when made fun of).
Impression they make on the peer group (conform to social behavior and sometimes appearance and norms
of group which determines how the group will behave).
Characteristics of physical development
Accelerated growth
Accelerated growth happens during pubescent period (period before adolescence). Various changes takes place
which leads to reproductive maturity. Pituitary gland plays important role and pubescence gradually gives way
to puberty. Physical changes happen because glands release hormones such as sex and growth hormones which
includes oestrogen and testosterone as well as hormones which forms muscle and bone.
Growth spurt
Hormonal changes result in rapid increase in body length and mass, but proportions of the body changes.
Starts between 9½ and 14 ½ (generally 10) for girls & 10 ½ and 16 (generally 12 or 13) for boys. Growth
spurt lasts about 2 years and sexual maturity is reached soon after the growth spurt ends.
Girls reach mature body length 2 years before boys. Girls at 17 and boys at 21
Girls are heavier & stronger than boys between ages 11 – 13 but boys catch up due to a more intense
growth spurt and are generally taller
All skeletal and muscular proportions are affected but in different degrees which causes clumsiness and
poor coordination, but this is restored after the growth spurt.
Growth rate is influenced by genetic, endocrine, emotional and environmental factors but varies for each
person.
, Primary & secondary sexual characteristics
Secondary characteristics emphasize differences between adults and children and also the outward appearance
between men and woman. E.g. Facial hair, breasts, voice etc. There is about a 7 year range for the onset of
puberty of girls and about 8 years for boys. Average age for puberty is 12 for girls and for boys. The
process takes about 4 years.
Girls Boys
Growth spurt (10 – 11) Growth spurt (12 – 13)
Breast development (10 – 11) Testes & Scrotum (11 – 12) - Skin darkens
Pubic hair (10 – 11) Penis (12 – 13) - Lengthen then thickens
Underarm & body hair (12 – 13) Ejaculation (13 – 14) - About 1 year after lengthen –
Vaginal discharge (10 – 13) no sperm.
Underarm and sweat glands (12 – 13) Pubic hair (11 – 12)
Menstruation (11 – 14) Underarm & body hair (13 – 15),
Facial hair (13 – 15)
Underarm and sweat glands (13 – 15) - Sweat and
body odour
Deepening of voice (14 – 15) - Adams apple about 1
year before voice breaks.
Motor development
Body parts grow at different rates. Types of coordination, balance and agility deteriorate due to rapid and
uneven growth at the start of puberty.
Boys and girls are generally evenly matched in weight and height until adolescence then:
Boys are 10kg heavier and taller and outperform in sport.
Boys’ muscle tissue double and girls only increase with half
Girls tend to be less active during puberty due to clumsiness and could be self-conscious. Also due to different
learners developing at different rates, the playing field is not even.
Secular trend
Tendency to grow taller and heavier than their parents and grandparents were. The age at which learners reach
puberty decrease and the height at maturity increase. This is common in developed countries or certain
population groups and is attributed to healthier diets, better medical service, improved sanitation and less
childhood diseased due to immunization. Poverty inhibits the secular trend.
Some elements of this maturity have reached a genetically determined limit – limit to human size.
Evidence of secular trend can be seen in:
Increase in average height
Earlier start of growth spurts
Earlier changes in vocal quality
Earlier start in menstruation (average from 16 to 13)
Earlier development can cause problems when physical development overtake psychological development (can’t
cope with demands of changes). Exercise could also inhibit early development.
Early and late development
The age at which puberty is reached influences emotionsl and social development. Many advantages for boys,
girls little benefit.
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