You observe strange things happening to your kids in this age, they are confused, moody, restless yet unable to tell you what is wrong, they care about what their friends think but don’t want your interference in their lives. You and your kids don’t seem to talk but argue and every time you set a rule, they want to break it.
Beware parents! For puberty has set in. A volatile time which will mould them, help them identify themselves but not before the stormy period of restlessness, confusion and rebellion passes bringing turmoil in their lives. This article will educate you about the various changes that happen during puberty in the physical, emotional and social life of your kid so that you can guide them in the right way.
Physical Changes
Puberty sets in between 8-17 years in girls and between 10-18 years for boys. During this time their body undergoes myriad number of changes. The changes mark the beginning of growth from a child to an adult. There are physical, hormonal, cognitive, and emotional changes that take place though the manner and the rate at which it happens is different for different individuals.
- Body shape: The signs of Puberty are seen on their body- girls start gaining weight and becoming curvier, with breast development and fat deposition on the hips, boys start developing muscles and their shoulders broaden. Sometimes during hormonal changes, boys also experience breast development, but this is normal and goes away with time.
- Growth spurt: It is during Puberty that growth hormones are secreted by the body which results in all the bones increasing in length and even the internal organs growing in size. This growth spurt - when there is dramatic increase in weight and height- lasts for 2 years after which the adult height is attained.
Acne: Along with some of the welcome changes in height and weight, there is another development. The sebaceous glands that secrete sebum get stimulated lead to the problem of acne and pimple. Another change is that along with sebaceous gland, sweat glands are also activated which means increase in sweat and body odor.- Hair growth: Both boys and girls experience hair growth during puberty in their underarms and pubic area.
- Voice: In boys, there is a transformation in their voices too. From a child like voice they develop a deeper voice. This change might take a very short time but sometimes boys will experience trouble controlling their tone and it goes up and down which can be embarrassing.
Hormonal changes: During puberty, the pituitary gland secretes FSH or Follicle Stimulating Hormone that leads to development of male and female sex organs.
Boys: FSH causes the testes to produce male sex hormone called as testosterone and sperms. The changes are gradual; first there is the development of testes, scrotum and penis. As the penis develops, the adolescent male begins experiencing erections when fantasizing or sometimes without any reason altogether. There will be release of semen or ejaculation in the sleep; this is called as nocturnal emission or wet dream.
Girls: In girls, FSH causes the ovaries to produce egg and within 2 -3 years of the breast development they start menstruating. Menstruation marks the beginning of the reproductive period in a female’s life. Generally it lasts from 3-7 days and the amount of bleeding also differs from person to person. In the beginning, periods are irregular but within one there is a regular monthly cycle.
