Adolescence is the time in life when a child transitions into an adult, that is the age between 10 and 19 years.
Puberty is the time when the bodies of girls (8-13 years) and boys (10-15 years) physically change – bodies grow bigger and taller, genitals mature, hair grows in new places on the body. A girl can become pregnant and a boy can impregnate a girl. New chemicals called hormones are produced that create changes in the body that turn young people into adults.
This major growth change lasts 2-5 years, and one can increase their height by 10 cm (4”) per year. It is the last time the body grows. After this, one attains an adult height. This height is different for every individual.
Adolescence is a time when human beings are especially sensation seeking. Research shows that an adolescent’s ability to judge the risks and potential dangers of a decision or situation is not that much different from that of an adult. It’s just that adolescents are more prone to taking risks because of psychosocial factors that affect their still-developing ability for self-regulation.
Adolescents have the same response to the sensation of risk as they do to the sensation of reward. That response simply overrides any judgement or conscious decision-making and makes them more likely to disregard potential hazards. This effect is heightened in the presence of peers because peer approval is experienced as a reward. It’s clear that the middle and high school years are an ideal time for motivational learning. This age provides the opportunity to challenge young people, giving them the chance to experiment in safety as they learn to collaborate with their peers to achieve goals, as well as to pursue their passions, talents and potential independently.
Physical changes in boys include broadening shoulders, growth of facial hair, voice deepening, they become more muscular, they have wet dreams, growth pains and sperm production and ejaculation starts.
Physical changes in girls are widening of hips, breast development, ovulation, menstruation and a more rounder body.
Physical changes in both involve growth, weight gain, pubic and underarm hair, acne and body odour.
Emotional changes include sexual feelings, crushes, fangirling, groupies, curiosity about sexual organs, changes in moods – moodiness, anger, depression; and feeling embarrassed easily. Feelings towards friends and stronger than towards family, feeling shy, worrying about the future (school, family, job). Adolescents at this age are better able to reason and solve problems (can learn quickly, can plan, are dependable), rebel against parents, want to be independent, want privacy, are concerned about being normal, have identity crisis, feel peer pressure, have concerns about body appearance and experimentation (taking risks, using drugs, having sex).
Adolescents need to have knowledge about their body changes, the consequences of unprotected sex and the importance of abstinence. Important skills involve decision making, being assertive about needs and wants, negotiation and setting goals.
All these changes and emotional changes are normal. Everyone develops at their own pace. It is okay to feel uncomfortable, clumsy or self-conscious. Menstruation and wet dreams are normal. Remember, a girl can get pregnant whereas a boy can father a child.