The Nature of Adolescence

Fact or Fiction?

• “pubescent” comes from the Latin word meaning, “to grow hairy”

• Puberty Starts at One Point in Time

• Puberty Strikes Without Warning

• Puberty is the Result of Raging Hormones

• What physical changes occur in adolescence?– Pubertal with rapid physical changes

involving hormones– Menarche is a girl’s first menstruation– Puberty is also triggered by body mass – Genetic factors are involved in puberty– Puberty involves the interaction of the

hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads

– The onset of puberty varies among individuals

19801840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960

18

17

16

12

15

14

13

Year

Median age (years) at menarche

Finland

Sweden

U.S.A.

Norway

U.K.

Fig. 12.1

Median Ages at Menarche in Selected Northern European Countries and the United States from 1845 to 1969

– Most noticeable physical changes include

• Pubic hair growth • Facial and chest hair growth in males• Breast growth in females• Increased height and weight• Sexual maturity

– Adolescent sexuality is initiated by • First ejaculation, voice change, penis

elongation, and testes development in males

• Highly irregular menstrual cycles, rounding of breasts, and widening of hips in females

• Early onset of puberty can create risks for females– Depression– Eating disorders– Use of alcohol, drugs, and/or tobacco– Earlier dating and sexual involvement

with males– Possible lower educational attainment

• Pubertal changes have a strong effect on the adolescent’s body image, dating interest, and sexual behavior

Fig. 12.4

Age (years)158 9 1814 1611 1310 12 17

Height spurt

MenarchePenile growth

Breast growthTesticular growth

Growth of pubic hair

Completion (average)

FemalesOnset (average)

Males Normal Range and Average Development of Sexual Characteristics in

Males and Females

• Adolescent sexuality- exploration, experimentation, and sexual fantasies

• Adolescence is a bridge between the asexual child and sexual adulthood – reaction of each society may vary

• Television and other media contribute to the sexual culture

• Developing a sexual identity involves– Sexual behavior– Indication of sexual orientation

Sexuality and Adolescence

Body Image

Fig. 12.5

Late developmentEarly development

Early- and Late-Maturing Adolescent Girls’ Perceptions of Body Image in Early and Late Adolescence

Mean

-.20

+.30

-.30

-.10

+.10

+.20

Body Image Score

Grade 10Grade 6

• Percentages of sexually active young adolescents in the United States vary greatly

• Male, African American, and inner-city adolescents report being the most sexually active

• Early sexual activity is linked to other risky behaviors and to contracting STIs

• Adolescents are increasing their use of contraceptives

• Cross-culturally, the United States still has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy and birth rates

Fig. 12.6

Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Adolescent Pregnancy Rates

0

20

40

60

80

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

England and WalesCanada

France

Sweden

U.S.

Year