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Chapter 6: Adolescence
Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and adulthood and it can be seen
as the development bridge between being a child and becoming an adult.
1. Demarcating Adolescence
• Quick transition from childhood to adulthood
• Depending on biological and socio-cultural factors , as well on individual
differences (ages 11-13)
• Ends at 17-21
2. A stormy phase?
• Adolescence characterised by conflict with parents and other authority
figures, moodiness and high-risk behaviours
• Biological and psychosocial functioning undergoes major changes
• Similar values to parents
• Stormy and stressful impacted by dysfunctional family background
• conflict doesn’t create a breach in relationships
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
• Rapid and extensive physical growth and the development of sexual maturity
• Rapid growth initiated by secretion of somatotrophin and gonadotrophin
• Somatotrophin causes bodily growth
• Gonadotrophin stimulates the gonads to secrete sex hormones
• Male sex hormones are known as androgens of which testosterone and
androsterone are most NB! Where small quantities of estrogens are also secreted by
the male.
• Androgen and estrogen develop primary and secondary sex characteristics
• Primary = sex organs
• Secondary = beard and breasts
ADOLESCENT GROWTH SPURT
• Girls = 10-13 and ends at 16
• Boys 12-15 and ends at 18
• Boys grow more rapidly than girls
• Boys reach adult height in early twenties where girls reach in adolescence
• Growth tempo = asynchrony
• First parts are accelerated growth in arms/legs/feet
• Look awkward and uncoordinated
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!
, • The differences are attributes to the complex interaction between genetics and
environmental factors.
SEXUAL MATURATION
• Generally known as puberty
• Most dramatic event in human development
• Secular trend is puberty beginning earlier and becoming taller
MALE AND FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS
BOYS GIRLS
Characteristic Age of first appear Characteristic First Appear Age
Growth of testes, 10-13, 5 year Growth of breasts 8-13 years
scrotal sack
Pubic hair 10-15 years Growth of pubic hair 9-14 years
Growth of penis 11-14 years, 5 years Menarche 10-16 years, 5 years
Change in voice Same time as penis Underarm hair Two years after pubic
growth hair
Facial and underarm Two years after pubic Oil and sweat Same time as
hair hair producing glands underarm hair
Oil and sweat glands, Same time as
acne underarm
Sexual Maturation in girls
• Puberty in girls starts when ovaries, uterus, vagina, labia and clitoris begin to
enlarge.
• breast buds appear and bodily hair growth while hips broaden
• accumulation of body fat
• menarche appears later in sequence of sexual maturation
• appears after growth spurt has slowed down
• environmental factors such as nutrition, stress and physical exercise may influence
the onset of puberty.
• Extreme exercise = later menstruation
• Female circumcision is called female genital mutilation
• Clitoridotomy involves the removal of the clitoral hood, a fold that protects the
clitoris
• Clitoridectomy involves removal of the clitoris
• Infibulation refers to partial removal of external genitalia
Sexual Maturation in boys
• Lower voice and beard growth = secondary sex characteristics
• The first seminal emission is known as the spermarche/semenarche
• Male circumcision entails a partial or complete removal of the foreskin of the penis
The psychological effects of physical change
• Acceptance of changed physical appearance
• Boys embarrassed about change in voice and girls concerned about sudden weight
increase
Compiled, revised and sold by Bronwyn de Sousa. DO NOT SHARE!
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