Overview of Puberty
Parental support is vital for teens navigating the complex and often overwhelming changes of puberty. As children undergo significant physical, emotional, and social transformations, guidance and understanding of their parents become essential in helping them feel secure and confident. When parents are informed about the stages of puberty, they can better empathize with their child’s experiences, addressing concerns with accurate information and a reassuring presence. This understanding fosters open communication, allowing teens to express their feelings and ask questions without fear of judgment. Moreover, parental support during puberty helps teens develop a positive body image and healthy coping mechanisms, reducing the likelihood of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By being attuned to the challenges of puberty, parents can provide the stability and encouragement their children need to navigate this critical developmental stage successfully.
What is puberty?
Puberty is a natural process that marks the transition from childhood to adolescence, during which a person's body undergoes various physical, emotional, and hormonal changes. These changes are triggered by an increase in certain hormones, leading to the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development in girls, voice deepening in boys, and the growth of body hair in both sexes. Puberty also involves growth spurts, changes in body shape, and the onset of reproductive capability, with menstruation beginning in girls and sperm production starting in boys. Beyond the physical aspects, puberty can also bring emotional changes, such as increased sensitivity, mood swings, and a growing sense of identity and independence. Typically, puberty begins between the ages of 8 and 14 and can last several years as the body gradually matures.
Hormonal Changes
Hormones play a crucial role in driving the changes that occur during puberty. The two primary hormones involved are estrogen and testosterone, each responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in girls and boys, respectively.
Estrogen is the key hormone in female puberty. Produced mainly by the ovaries, estrogen triggers the development of female secondary sexual characteristics. It initiates the growth of breast tissue, promotes the widening of hips, and regulates the menstrual cycle. Estrogen also contributes to the growth of the uterine lining, preparing the body for potential pregnancy. Additionally, estrogen influences the growth of bones and the distribution of body fat, leading to the development of the typical female body shape.
Testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for male puberty. Produced mainly in the testes, testosterone stimulates the growth of the penis and testes, deepens the voice by enlarging the larynx, and increases muscle mass. It also promotes the growth of facial, pubic, and body hair. Testosterone is essential for the development of sperm, marking the beginning of reproductive capability in boys. Beyond these physical changes, testosterone also influences mood and behavior, often leading to increased aggression and the development of sexual interest.
Together, these hormones regulate the complex process of puberty, ensuring the physical and sexual maturation of both girls and boys. The balance and timing of their release are controlled by the endocrine system, particularly the pituitary gland, which signals the onset of puberty.
Physical Changes
Female Puberty
Breasts begin to develop, and hips become rounded.
Pubic hair begins to appear, usually six to 12 months after the start of breast development. About 15% of kids will develop pubic hair before their breast development starts.
The uterus and vagina, as well as labia and clitoris, increase in size.
Pubic hair becomes well established, and breasts grow further. Each breast can grow at different rates and may not be the same size.
Menstruation begins about two years after breasts start to develop. Most kids will experience a growth spurt one to two years before their period begins and will only grow about one to two more inches after their first period, then growth stops and they have reached their adult height.
Male puberty
The penis and testicles increase in size. Testicles can grow at different rates and may not be the same size.
Pubic hair appears, followed by underarm and facial hair.
The voice deepens and may sometimes crack or break.
The Adam’s apple, or larynx cartilage, gets bigger.
Testicles begin to produce sperm. Ejaculation – the release of sperm-containing semen – may also happen.
Sweat production increases, and body odor may become more noticeable.
Shared Experiences
Growth Spurts: About 20 percent of our height is obtained during puberty. Most girls start their growth spurt between ages 10 to 14, or about a year after puberty begins. Males have their growth spurt on average two years after the start of puberty. Males also tend to grow faster.
Bone growth: As teens get taller, their bone growth accelerates as well. Bones first grow in length, then width, and then density. Due to this growth pattern, there is a high risk of fracture as teens’ bones get longer before they get stronger.
Body shape: While both males and females see increases in their body mass index (BMI), girls see more of an increase in body fat. Boys, however, tend to have increased levels of lean body mass. This can cause high levels of stress in adolescent females, especially in a culture that promotes thinness. Conversely, puberty leads to fat distribution in the hips and butt, which can lead to unwanted attention. Parents may worry that this may be a sign of future obesity, but they should be reassured that the body redistributes the fat to other parts of the body as it progresses to adulthood.
Acne: Acne is caused by overactive oil glands in the skin and a buildup of oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria, which leads to inflammation (swelling and redness) in the pores.
· Oil glands get stimulated when hormones become active during puberty. That’s why people are likely to get acne in their teens. Because the tendency to develop acne is partly genetic, if other people in your family had (or have) acne, you may be more likely to have it too.
Body odor: Perspiration, or sweat, comes from sweat glands that you've always had in your body. But thanks to puberty, these glands not only become more active than before, they also begin to secrete different chemicals into the sweat that has a stronger smelling odor. You might notice this odor under your arms in your armpits. Your feet and genitals might also have new smells.
Emotional and Psychological Changes
During this time, you may notice your child:
Show more concern about body image, looks, and clothes.
Focus on themselves; going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.
Experience more moodiness.
Express less affection toward parents; sometimes might seem rude or short-tempered.
Feel stress from more challenging school work.
Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.
Is interested in romantic relationships and sexuality. This may cause your child to focus more on how they look and dress.
Developing a sense of self, exploring gender identity and sexual orientation.
Withdraws from the family unit to develop autonomy or independence. Your child may start to form their own opinions about religion, politics and the social world around them.
Is irritable and feels lost. All of the new thoughts and changes that come along with puberty may be confusing for them.
Draw closer to friends. Your child may start to have a deeper capacity for caring and sharing and want to develop more intimate relationships.
Become moodier. With hormone-drive fluctuations in mood, your child may have difficulty regulating their emotions.
Develop the ability to think abstractly. Contrary to their previous tendency as kids to have concrete, structured thoughts, your child may begin to give reasons for their choices, understand consequences, and make long-term plans and goals.
It’s important to remember that these are all natural feelings and will take some time to balance them out.