Children Family and the Community

Discusses 6 characteristic milestones of adolescence-

Body image-

The timing of these physical changes affects how adolescents perceive themselves.

Boys who mature earlier than their peers tend to have a positive self-image. To friends, relatives, and teachers they appear stronger and more mature than late maturing boys. They may be chosen for leadership roles and have more athletic ability.

Boys who mature later generally do not do as well within peer groups and are usually perceived as being less confident and capable.

For girls the exact opposite is true. Early maturing girls are oftentimes very self-conscious about their bodies and tend to engage in more adult behaviors like drinking alcohol and sexual activity.

Physical Changes: Boys

A dramatic spurt in strength, speed, and endurance.

Develop large skeletal muscles.

Heart and lungs enlarge dramatically.

An increase in the number of red blood cells which carry oxygen from the lungs to the muscles-this does not occur in girls.

Voice change occurs during the middle of puberty.

Around 17-18 years of age physical changes are complete.

Physical Changes: Girls

Gross motor skills (strength, endurance, and speed), improve slowly but steadily and level off around the age of 14.

Breast growth completed around 16 years of age.

Adult height reached by 15-16 years old.

Fat deposits increase in hips, breasts, legs and arms.

Muscle development in girls is much less than that of boys.

Self-Consciousness and Self Focusing:

Imaginary Audience-Adolescents believe that they are the focus of everyone's attention. As a result, they become extremely self-conscious and easy to embarrass, very concerned about what others think, and are particularly sensitive to criticism.

Because there are so many more opportunities in adolescence than childhood, teens sometimes become overwhelmed and may have difficulty making decisions. As they mature and gain confidence and experience, their decision making...