Puberty is the time when a child reaches sexual maturity and reproductive capacity. Puberty begins around the age of 10 and is completed around the age of 16. During puberty, which begins on average 2 years earlier in girls, secondary sexual characteristics are formed first.
Physical and psychological changes during puberty.
Puberty is the time when a child reaches sexual maturity and reproductive capacity. Puberty begins around age 10 and is completed around age 16. During puberty, boys grow their first beard hair and begin to break their voice. In girls, menstruation begins and breasts develop. During puberty there is also accelerated growth in height (body size), and in addition the entire physique changes. Adolescents begin to break away from the parental home. At the same time, mental and emotional changes take place that last much longer. Herein lies the great conflict potential of puberty. The onset and duration of puberty can vary greatly from one individual to another, but they have far-reaching effects on the everyday lives of adolescents and their families. Many hormones are responsible for the strong changes in the body during puberty. In boys, puberty begins with the growth of the testicles at age 11 or 12. The penis grows larger, and the first beard hairs sprout on the upper lip. The larynx and vocal cords also grow, which we know as the change of voice during puberty. Boys get broader shoulders and narrower hips, becoming more masculine in appearance. Pubic and underarm, leg and chest hair begins to grow. Female puberty begins with the growth of breasts and the onset of menstruation. The girl’s body also changes a lot, the hips become wider and the waist becomes narrower. The pubic and armpit hair grows. The external changes are also accompanied by changes in the internal sexual organs. The uterus grows, eggs mature and the vaginal wall thickens.
Puberty from the perspective of pubescents
All the hormones that cause the physical changes of puberty also cause significant mood changes. Many things that adolescents used to hardly notice suddenly seem very important. The emotional state can quickly change from “sky-high” to “sad to death,” and the adolescents themselves suffer as a result. The strong emotional fluctuations during puberty are not so easy to cope with. School performance can also drop significantly during puberty, which can lead to recurring conflicts with parents and teachers. The skin also causes problems for adolescents during puberty. Sex hormones affect sebum production during puberty, causing pimples and acne. In the sensitive life phase of puberty, the lower attractiveness thus perceived is a further burden.
Educational problems during puberty
The hormonal changes during puberty cause extreme emotional fluctuations that are difficult for everyone involved to endure. The psyche also goes through major changes during puberty. Identity problems, questions of meaning, feelings of inferiority and adolescent fears are now omnipresent. The most common conflicts that arise between parents and children during puberty are caused by increased aggression on the part of the children. Parents often interpret them as disrespect. Basically, children are just the mirror of adults, who are often mercilessly shown their inadequacy during puberty. But setting boundaries during puberty is part of healthy development, even if things get louder. If this does not happen during puberty, the child will always remain a dependent, needy person even as an adult. Even if nerves are sometimes on edge, parents should react sensitively and with understanding, especially during puberty. The children will thank them later as adults.
