PUBERTY

Puberty is the transitional biological stage between childhood and adulthood.

It is the stage when the body matures. Puberty involves changes in primary sexual characteristics.

It starts when the pituitary gland at the base of the brain produces hormones. Hormones are chemical substances, which control the body’s development and growth. At puberty, these hormones are secreted to the reproductive organs, that is, the testes and the ovaries in females and males respectively. The reproductive organs thereafter produce sex hormones, which cause changes in the adolescent’s body.

Adolescence begins with puberty. Most girls reach puberty between the ages of 9-13 while boys reach puberty between the age of 12-14. However, children grow at different rates so some may mature later than others.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES AT PUBERTY

1. Boys: there is a rapid increase in Height. Boys later catch up with girls in height and may overcome them.

          Girls: there is a rapid increase in Height. Girls tend to be taller than boys of the same age.

         2 . Boys: voice becomes deeper

              Girls: Breast develops

3.  Boys: semen discharge during sleep.

              Girls: Menstruation begins

4. Boys: Hairs are noticed under the armpits and on the external parts of the Reproductive organs.

          Girls: Hairs are noticed under the armpits and on the external parts of the reproductive organs.

5. Boys: The shoulder becomes broader 

            Girls: the hip becomes broader

6. Boys: pimples sometimes appear on the face but they usually disappear after a time.

          Girls: pimples sometimes appear on the face but they usually disappear after a time.

   HANDLING PUBERTAL CHANGES IN BOYS AND GIRLS

  Pubertal changes could be physical, emotional, social, and internal. These changes must be well-handled

   In Adolescents.

    Adolescents often enter puberty with a heightened sense of sexuality accompanied by a great deal of confusion. At this stage, they are faced with the challenges of forming an identity, false feelings of independence, questions about conformity as well as confusion about values and views of life.

 Hence, pubertal changes must be well handled by applying basic coping strategies or identity. Some strategies for handling pubertal changes are as follows:

  a .Personal hygiene and cleanliness

  b. Self-acceptance.

  c. Emotional Development

  d. Developing decision-making skills which are 

       1 . Identifying and defining a problem

2. Gather information about the problem
3. Consider the advantages and the disadvantages
4. Consider personal and family values about the possible alternatives.
5. Consider the impact of your decision on other people around you.
6. Choose one option that will have the best outcome.
7. Decide and act on the decision cautiously and
8. Evaluate the outcome of your decision.

    How can a teenager handle pubertal changes?

   EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION

Emotional changes accompany the physical changes of Adolescence. The ups and downs of being a teenager can be difficult for both boys and girls.

Hormones affect a young person’s moods and emotions. An example is feelings of sadness and depression, and shifting feelings about relationships with family and friends.

Adolescents need to be assured that all of these changes are a normal part of growing. As boys and girls enter puberty, their interest in the expression of their sexuality increases. They attain sexual maturity before achieving emotional or social maturity and economic independence. Because of the health risks involved with premarital sex, young people’s decisions and experiences during this transition can affect the rest of their lives.

 SOME ASPECTS OF EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCED DURING ADOLESCENCE

1. Self-consciousness
2. Increased desire to be  more independent
3. Feelings of discomfort due to rapid physical development
4. Mood swing
5. Egocentric tendencies

6. Anger and disillusionment when one’s ideas are unmet.
7. Secrecy: Adolescents become isolated and seek more privacy
8. Inquisitiveness and
9. Struggle for acceptance by peer group.