Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)
Lesson 15 : Pubertal Changes during Adolescence
The Onset of Puberty
Puberty is not a single event but progression of physical changes that usually begin in late childhood and culminate in early adolescence. These events include the development of primary sexual characteristics and secondary sexual characteristics.
Primary sexual characteristics: physical features directly related to reproduction such as ovaries, penis and testes.
Secondary sexual characteristics: features that are outward manifestations of sexual development but are not directly involved in reproduction such as breasts, facial and body hair, adult body shape etc.
The changes that occur during this period are part of a developing process that began early in the life of an individual and continue to be active for some more years. The average age of onset of puberty is 13 years (11-16 years). Signs of physiological maturing of the body before 11 years is described as “Precocious Puberty”, this invariably requires medical attention.
Precocious Puberty: a very small number of girls and boys experience unusually early puberty due to genetic and environmental reasons. Some hormonal medicines, excessive seasonal stimulation on through media can also trigger if off. Puberty is considered precocious when
It begins before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 in boys.
They possess all the physical characteristics of puberty but do not possess the higher level of abstract thinking.
They often suffer teasing and rejection leading to feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Treatment: includes dealing with any obvious condition that caused the accelerated rate of puberty such as
Removing a tumor or cyst.
Drugs that block the reproductive hormones associated with puberty for arresting and regressing the sexual development and growth.
Diversity in the onset of puberty:
The onset of menstruation is an abrupt event. In girls it is called Menarche. The experiences are either positive or frightening depending upon pre preparation. In boys it is known as Spermarche, where the boys have their first ejaculation experience often while sleeping. Considerable diversity exists in the timing of puberty both in boys and girls i.e early or late maturation.
Sex and race differences: Girls and boys progress through differently and at different times. Girls mature more quickly in middle childhood, same in this period also. Compared to boys, girls get a year 1 and half year head start on puberty. The age at which girls achieve puberty varies by race.
Generational differences: Children today achieve puberty; start the growth spurt and adult height about three years earlier than the children did 100 years ago. This is more apparent in girls than boys. This may be due to earlier maturation because of nutrition and health care.
Biological factors: The physical changes that accompany puberty are influenced by biological factors. The interplay of the endocrine system, the nervous system and gonads leads to puberty largely through the influence of hormones.
The hypothalamus in the brain signals the secretion in pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates thyroid and adrenal glands (testes and ovaries). Though both sexes secrete male and female hormones, male hormones (testosterone) greatly increases in boys and female hormones (estrogen) in girls which causes differentiation in physique.
Environmental factors: the important influencing factors for puberty are
General health and nutrition. Adolescents who are healthy and received adequate nutrition throughout their early years are likely to enter puberty earlier.
Exercise: Girls who exercise strenuously (such as gymnastics, runners and ballet dancers) and who have low level body fat often have delayed puberty.
Familial factors: such as stressful family experiences triggers puberty.
Prominent Factors for delay of onset of puberty are
Ill health for ex. Anemia or infection can sometimes delay in onset of puberty.
Disturbances of endocrine system can also act as a delaying factor. These require investigation and treatment. Modern Hormone therapy can substitute both male and female hormones where these are absent or insufficient for initiating puberty and to ensure subsequent physical and sexual menstruation
Family conflicts- Life experiences influence biological growth in adolescence. Family conflicts seem to accelerate puberty in girls but not in boys (Kenneth, Smith and Palermiti, 1997).
Inadequate nutrition also delays pubertal maturation in girls especially from low income families. Children who are malnourished and have been chronically ill have delayed growth spurt and onset of puberty due to lower gonadotrophic secretions.
Personal fable also influences physical wellbeing. It is a belief where young teenagers tend to think themselves as unique being within the human race. This belief gives a sense of invulnerability, because they feel immune from the normal dangers of life. They may take foolish risks such as experimenting with drugs and alcohol etc.
Stages of Pubertal period:
Pubertal stage consists of 3 periods – a) Pubescence b) Puberty and c) Post pubescence. Entire stage lasts for 4 years i.e. from 11 – 14 years.
Participants