The Fundamental Changes of Adolescence Essay Example for Free

The Fundamental Changes of Adolescence EssayPuberty is the sum of all the changes that re looseness in the growing girl or boy as the individual passes from childhood into adulthood. This phase of rapid physical and psychological and social changes prepares the child into a period of full sexual maturation. Furthermore, this phase is manifested by growth spurt and outgrowth of secondary sex characteristics. Growth hormones are the reason for the development of secondary sex characteristics which after part be described as the changes in the outward look that signal the onset of reproductive due date. These include growth of pubic hair, changes in the appearance of sex organs and breast development. Accompanying these changes is the feeling of anxiety and bewilder of these rapid bodily changes so without proper guidance during this turbulent stage in his life may not prepare him for the more complex problems of adulthood. non all adolescents undergo these changes at the sa me age some mature upstart while some mature advance(prenominal). The onset of puberty can occur as early as age 7 years in girls and 9 and ? in boys or as belated as 13 in girls and 13 ? in boys.In girls, the interval between the first sign of puberty and complete physical maturation can be as ill-considered as six years and in boys, the comparable interval ranges from about two years to five years (J. Tanner, 1962. ) For the boys, the sign that he has reached sexual maturity is termed spermache. Spermache is the first ejaculation of the seminal fluid generally occurring a year after the beginning of growth of his primary sexual organ, the penis. On the other hand, girls pick up reached sexual maturation with the onset of her first menstruation and the term for this occurrence is menarche.Psychological Effect of Puberty The bodily changes during adolescent stage can tint teens behaviour and psychological functioning. The increase of hormone testosterone is directly linked to the increase in boys sex drive. Bodily changes result also make the children more conscious with his physical appearance. There is also a change in how others react to the adolescents new image in turn these reaction will elicit change in the adolescents self-image. During this period, the adolescent also sets superior ideals, dreams and aspirations.They wanted to act like an adult but society cannot unless grant him the privileges that adults enjoy. In wanting to reach his high ideals, adolescents can realize that they cannot reach those ideals and this leads to loss of self-confidence and may experience a feeling of inadequacy. clock and Tempo of Puberty There are factors which can affect the timing and tempo of puberty. One of the prime reasons is the genetic makeup of the individual. There are studies which declare that African-American female mature earlier than their American counterparts.Study also shows that maturity occurs much earlier in prosperous countries as compar ed to less authentic countries and scientists believe that better nutrition, improved sanitation and better disease control caused the early maturation. Those teens that necessitate experienced maturity during normal period have the high incidence of having less emotional and psychological problems than those who matures early or late because they have the right amount of time spent in childhood which can make them cope better with the demands of adolescence (Fundamental Changes in Adolescents, p. 26.).Reaction to Early Maturation Boys and girls have different reactions when dealing with early maturity. For the girls, it has both verificatory and negative effects. The positive effect is that when compared with late maturing, early maturing girls are more autonomous minded, more popular with boys and felt better with their figure. They also dated more frequently. Because of their more independent attitude, they can be more likely to get into trouble at enlighten because they ten d to speak their mind without thinking if their comments might hurt others feelings.Girls who mature early also have the tendency to get low grades in class because they are in dates often and they neglect their school duties. Early maturers are treated as more mature by peers and adults so they have the tendency to show adult behaviours and can cope easy with the emotional turmoil brought about by the sudden physical and psychological changes. For boys early maturation mean competitive advantage over peers in the plain stitch of sports and in leadership.They are also more attractive to girls than their awkward looking peers and are often viewed as sophisticated, poised and self-confidence. One disadvantage is that early maturers have less time for childhood games and fun because adults expect them to do more mature roles. There is less time to adjust to physical maturity so they tend to be socially immature. Reaction to Late Maturation Same as with early maturation, boys and gir ls have different reaction to late maturation. Girls who are late maturers are under less pressure because adults dont expect her to behave and act maturely.Late maturers also mature at the same time as boys so they are in the same social and psychological level that they dont have difficulty in forming intimate family with the opposite sex. Potential disadvantage of late maturity in boys is that late-maturing boys cannot compete with early maturers in forming boy-girl relationships because they are lock away conscious with their physical appearance and because they still have underdeveloped muscles and hoarse voice and this leads to the development of negative self-concept a feeling of inadequacy, a feeling of hopelessness and rejection.It is easy to spot late and early maturers. Physically, their difference is marked by their body create. Those with athletic build are likely to be early maturers but those with slight build are the late maturers. Knowing the potential advantages and disadvantages of these types of adolescents may help the parents and adult guardians understand the crisis they face and can easily formulate methods to help these adolescents pass this rite of passage and built a positive self-image.References Tanner, J. M. , 1962, Growth at Adolescence, 2nd edn (Oxford Blackwell Scientic Publications). Development Needs of Children and Adolescents, retrieved May 20, 2010 at the website http//www. bhojvirtualuniversity. com/ss/online_cou/b_ed/secp_02/cp2b2u2p3. asp The Fundamental Changes of Adolescence retrieved on May 20, 2010 at the website http//highered. mcgraw-hill. com/sites/dl/free/0072414561/16698/ch01. pdf