Physical Development In

AdolescenceBy: April Young

CEPD 8102October 24, 2010

“Adolescence is a transitional period in the

human life span, entered at approximately 10 to 12

years of age and exited at about 18 to 22 years of

age.” (Santrock P. 258)

The Nature of Adolescence

•Relationships with parents change•Time with friends become more intimate•Dating occurs•Sexual exploration begins•Thoughts are more abstract•Greater interest in body image

“Puberty is the most important marker of the beginning of adolescence.”

•Sexual Maturation, Height, and Weight• According to Santrock, puberty occurs 2 years earlier for girls (11 ½) than for boys 13 ½). •Menarche (girl’s first menstruation) comes late in the puberty cycle.• During adolescence, girls are taller and outweigh boys, until about the age of 14 when boys begin to outweigh girls.• During the growth spurt, girls grow about 3 ½ inches per year and boys grow about 4 inches per year.

•Hormonal Changes – “Hormones are substances secreted by the endocrine glands and carried through the body by the bloodstream.” (p. 261)•Testosterone is the hormone associated in the boys with the development of genitals, and an increase in height, and a change in voice. (p. 261)•Estradiol is a type of estrogen in girls and is associated with breast, uterine, and skeletal development. (p. 261)

Share this online quiz to learn more about the readiness for puberty.

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Adolescent Sexuality “Adolescence is a time of sexual exploration and

experimentation, of sexual fantasies and realities, of incorporating sexuality into one’s identity.” (P. 264)

•Developing Sexual Identity – this is a time to learn to manage sexual feelings, develop new forms of intimacy and learn skills to avoid negative consequences. It involves activities, interests, styles of behavior, and an indication of sexual orientation. •Contraceptive Usage - “The good news is that adolescents are increasing their use of contraceptives.” (p. 265) There are two risks involved with sexual activity. These are: pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

•Adolescent Pregnancy – “The United States continues to have one of the highest adolescent pregnancy and childbearing rates in the industrialized world.” (P. 266) The rate has dropped 30% since 1991. Reasons for this drop is an increase in contraceptive use and a fear of disease.

“All adolescents can benefit from age-appropriate family life

education.” (P. 267)

• “Adolescents need privacy to help them understand the changes taking place in their bodies.”• “Do not tease an adolescent child about physical changes, because it may cause self-consciousness and embarrassment.”•“Parents need to remember that the adolescent's interest in body changes and sexual topics is natural, normal development and does not necessarily indicate movement into sexual activity.”

PARENTING TIPS

•Parents must take care not to label emerging drives and behaviors as wrong, "sick", or immoral. •The teenager's quest for independence is normal development and need not be seen by the parent as rejection or a loss of control over the child. To be of most benefit to the growing adolescent, a parent needs to be a constant and consistent figure, available as a sounding board for the youth's ideas without dominating or overtaking the emerging, independent identity of the young person.

•“Despite adolescents constantly challenging authority figures, they need or want limit-setting, as it provides a safe boundary in which to grow and function. Limit-setting refers to predetermined and negotiated rules and regulations regarding behavior.”•“In contrast, power struggles arise when authority is at stake or "being right" becomes the primary issue. These situations should be avoided, if possible. Ultimately, one of the parties (typically the teen) is overpowered, causing the youth to lose face. This can cause the adolescent to feel embarrassment, inadequacy, resentment, and bitterness.”

•“Parents should be prepared for and recognize that there are common conflicts that may develop while parenting adolescents. The experience may be influenced by unresolved issues from a parent's own childhood, as well as unresolved issues from the adolescent's earlier years.”•“Parents can anticipate their authority to be repeatedly challenged, as children enter and move through their adolescent years. Maintaining open lines of communication and clear, yet negotiable, limits or boundaries may prove useful in minimizing major conflicts.”

References:•Santrock, J.W. (2008). Essentials of life-span development. Boston: McGraw Hill.•University of Maryland Medical Center. Adolescent Development – Overview. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/002003.htm .•Image Retrieved from http://www.byhealth.com/files/puberty.jpg . •Image Retrieved from http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/devel/ibank/image/0145.jpg •Image Retrieved from http://peterhbrown.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/image007.jpg •Images Retrieved from: Clip Art•Quiz Retrieved from http://www.coachr.org/growth6.jpg