Puberty: Boys and Girls

This is the period during which growing boys and girls reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. Usually, puberty starts between ages 8 and 13 in girls and ages 9 and 15 in boys.

Pubertal Changes in Boys

1. Broadening of the chest and shoulders.
2. Deepening of the voice.
3. Growth of moustache and beard.
4. Growth of hair in the armpit and chest.
5. Growth of hair in the pubic region.
6. Increase in the size of the genitals (i.e. penis and testicles).
7. Rapid growth in height.
8. Wet dream (i.e. an involuntary discharge of semen through the penis).

Pubertal Changes in Girls

1. Increase in breast size.
2. Growth of hair in the armpit.
3. Widening of hips.
4. Rapid growth in height.
5. Growth of hair in the pubic region.
6. Menstruation begins.

Menstruation

This is the monthly flow of blood through vagina of a female child of child-bearing age. The first occurrence of menstruation is called menarche.

Menstrual Cycle

This is the time from the first day of a woman’s menstruation to the day before her next menstruation.

Adolescence

This is the period between puberty and adulthood. It is the period in human growth and development that occurs after child hood and before adulthood from ages 10 to 19. An adolescent is a person that is going through adolescence.

Concerns at Adolescence

1. Self-consciousness
2. Struggle for acceptance by peer group
3. Development of sexual or romantic feelings i.e. sexual attraction to opposite sex.
4. The size of the body gives concern to adolescent
5. Increase concern to be independent.

Handling Pubertal Changes (Personal care during puberty)

Pubertal changes should be handled with confidence and maturity.  Some of the means of handling pubertal changes include.

1. Bathing at least once daily
2. Frequent washing of hands especially after using toilet
3. Maintaining a tidy appearance
4. Changing sanitary pads regularly during menstruation
5. Observing high personal hygiene.

See also

CLASSIFICATION OF NON-LIVING THINGS INTO METALS AND NON-METALS METALS

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS

LIVING AND NON-LIVING THINGS

MATTER

BODY IMAGE