Life Span Development II School Age and Adolescence

Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)

Lesson 17 : Pubertal changes and their effects on adolescent personality

Late maturation in boys

Disadvantages of Late maturation in boys:

Research Studies showed that late maturing boys have several disadvantages. They are found to be

1. Shorter and weaker
2. Perceived as childish by peers
3. Feel insecure about their capabilities
4. More dissatisfied with their body because they may weigh 25 to 30 pounds less and 6-8 inches shorter than their peers
5. less popular and less likely to take on leadership positions
6. stronger feelings of inadequacy
7. higher needs of autonomy
8. less well-groomed
9. more restless and anxious
10. bossy, rebellious against parents and other adults.
11. Negative self-concept, less self confident and less self assurance

Advantages of late maturity in boys - Some other studies throw light on certain favorable points related to late matures like

• more flexible and adaptive,
• able to better tolerate ambiguity.