Adolescence: Physical and Sexual Development

Moriah, Tom,Jon, Noah

What is Adolescence?Adolescence: the transition period between childhood and adulthood.

In America, adolescents are viewed as adults as well as children, while other cultures have no phase in between child and adult.

Initiation Rites: rites of passage between child and adult. Ex. 16, 18 and 21st birthday, first job etc.

Theories of Adolescence During adolescence, children witness great physical and mental development

and change, including: acquiring gender role, learning to develop relationships, achieving independence, understanding and accepting social behaviors.

Some adolescents experience lots of stress during this phase of change while others seem to enjoy the change.

Physical Development Puberty: the biological event that marks the end of childhood. Puberty occurs

at different times depending on the individual.Most girls start puberty between the ages of 8 and 10, while boys start from 9

to 10 on average. menarche: first menstrual period.

spermarche: period when male achieves ejaculation

asynchrony: uneven growth and maturation of bodily parts.

Reactions to GrowthTeenagers today have a better understanding of growing than the last few

generations did, but young people still are self conscious.

Research indicates that males that mature faster are looked up to by other males, while females that mature faster are often outcasted.

Researchers also say that men that matured at a slower pace, still feel outcasted into their thirties.

Sexual DevelopmentDuring Adolescence, young people develop individual attitudes about sex as

well as expectations of the gender roles they should fill.

Different cultures and religions view sexual development in different ways, some teens are well informed while others are kept in the dark.

The awareness of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is increasing and more teens are abstaining from sex, helping them avoid diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and loss of self respect.

Abstinence: Refraining from sexual behaviors before marriage

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