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What is Puberty?
Puberty is the process (a series), of physical changes where a child's body matures into an adult and becomes sexually able to reproduce. Puberty is started by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads. For females the ovaries and for males the testes.
Adolescence refers to a period of time where there is a physiological and physical development which takes place in between childhood and adulthood. Puberty is relevant in an adolescents life as it is the time where adolescents begin to explore for an identity and become an adult. Puberty is the beginning of profound changes in adolescents drive, motivation, physiology and their social life. All of these changes will continue to develop throughout the adolescents life.
Social and emotional changes contribute to major differences in a child and adult.
Physical and emotional changes of female puberty do not always happen together. Sometimes female's mature emotionally before any physical changes happen.
Social and emotional changes are signs that show that you are forming an independent identity, are maturing and beginning to learn how to be an adult.
Adolescence refers to a period of time where there is a physiological and physical development which takes place in between childhood and adulthood. Puberty is relevant in an adolescents life as it is the time where adolescents begin to explore for an identity and become an adult. Puberty is the beginning of profound changes in adolescents drive, motivation, physiology and their social life. All of these changes will continue to develop throughout the adolescents life.
Social and emotional changes contribute to major differences in a child and adult.
Physical and emotional changes of female puberty do not always happen together. Sometimes female's mature emotionally before any physical changes happen.
Social and emotional changes are signs that show that you are forming an independent identity, are maturing and beginning to learn how to be an adult.
Social Changes
Some social changes you may experience when you are around 9 to 11 years old (age vary's) are:
- Searching for an identity; Children and adolescents are busy figuring out where they fit in the world. This search is often influenced by gender, peer group, cultural background as well as family expectations.
- Seeking independence; This is very likely to influence your decisions you make and the relationships that you have with family and friends.
- Seeking responsibility; This can take place at home and at school
- Looking for new experiences; The nature of teenage brain development means that teens are likely to try and seek new experiences and engage in more risk-taking behaviour. But teenagers are still developing control over their impulses.
- Thinking about 'right' and 'wrong' more often; You will start to develop stronger individual sets of values and morals. You will also learn that there are responsibilities for your own actions, decisions and consequences. You will question more things such as words and actions. Words and actions can help you develop a sense of right or wrong. This is influenced by friends, behaviour, sense of self and self-esteem start to develop. You may also begin to explore a sexual identity; you may begin to have a romantic relationship or go on dates. These are not always necessarily intimate relationships though. For some children and adolescents intimate or sexual relationships don't occur until later on in your lifetime and communicate in different ways. For example the internet, mobile phones and social media can also influence how you communicate with your friends and learn about the world.
Emotional Changes
Some emotional changes you may experience when you are around 9 to 11 years old (age vary's) are:
Changes in different relationships
You may have some changes in your relationships with family and friends.
These may include:
- Showing strong feelings and intense emotions at different times.; Your moods may seem unpredictable. These emotional ups and downs are easily lead to conflict. Your brain is still learning about how to control and express different emotions in a mature way.
- Sensitive; You may become sensitive to your emotions. Children and adolescents get better at reading and processing other people feelings and emotions as they mature. While you are developing these types of skills, you can sometimes misunderstand body language or facial expressions.
- Self-conscious; You can become more self-conscious. Especially about physical appearance and changes. Teenage self-esteem is often affected by appearance or about how young people think they look. As you develop you may compare your bodies to your friends, peers as well as celebrities.
- 'Bulletproof' stage of thinking; You may go through a 'Bulletproof' stage of thinking or acting where you act as if nothing bad could happen to you and your decision making skills are still developing at this stage. You are still learning the consequences of your actions.
Changes in different relationships
You may have some changes in your relationships with family and friends.
These may include:
- Wanting to spend less time or not be around relative's; You may also want to spend not as much time with friends, peers and family.
- Arguments; You may have more arguments with people you have close relationships with such as your parents, siblings and friends. Conflicts between children and parents are normal as teenagers want independence. These arguments could show that your child is maturing. Conflict and arguments tend to begin in the early stages of adolescents.
- Different views; You may see different points of view from your parents. This is because you are beginning to think outside of the box (more abstractly), and to question different points of view. Although at the same time, you may find it difficult to understand the consequences of their behaviour and comments on others. These skills will eventually mature.
Physical Changes
Hormones can cause many of the Physical and Emotional changes that take place during puberty. Growth hormone is produced in the pituitary gland and this gland is responsible for growth spurts. This includes the lengthening of the long bongs (These are the legs and arms), and the increase in the size of the overall body and internal organs. For example the hearts, lungs and uterus.
Female
For girls, you can see early physical changes from around 10 to 11 years of age. Although this age can vary from 8 years being the youngest and 13 being the oldest. Physical changes around the time of puberty include breast development, changes in body shape (hips widening), and height growth, growth of pubic and body hair and the start of menstruation (periods). Many females also get acne and pimples. The best way to prevent and treat pimples are to use a daily face wash or pimple treatment such as Clearasil. As you mature you also develop a body odour. So it is even more important to bathe or have a shower very often. |
Male
For boys, physical changes start at around 11 to 12 years of age. Although this age can vary from 9 years being the youngest and 14 being the oldest. Physical changes include the growth of the penis and testicles (testes), height growth, change in body shape, erections with ejaculation, broadening of chest and shoulders, appearance of body hair and pubic hair, growth of body and facial hair as well as changes to the voice (voice deepens). Many males also get acne and pimples. The best way to prevent and treat pimples are to use a daily face wash or pimple treatment such as Clearasil. For males there is even a possibility of breast development. As you mature you also develop a body odour. So it is even more important to bathe or have a shower very often. |