Puberty Essay

Adolescent Puberty

Puberty is a time that every individual must endure to progress into physical and mental adulthood. This time consists of many awkward moments, struggles with identity, and a desire to test the boundaries. Technically, all puberty is, is the period in which the body has become capable of sexual reproduction. That is a very general fact about puberty. Many other elements come into play during this time that have been consistent for quite some time (R, H, J, …, n.d.). Puberty is also happening during most individual’s secondary education years and can sneak into the classroom through the students’ habits and behaviors. This time of cognitive, physical, and emotional transition has observed trends, can be affected by life stressors,

This time of change and development is known as puberty. There are physical changes that occur in the anatomy of the teen and there are social and emotional changes that can develop. Interest in sexual activities, risk taking behavior, competition for elevated social status, long with bodily changes are among the consistent trends discovered in adolescent puberty (Bellis, Downing, Ashton, 2006). The reason for many of these trends is effected by how the individual handles this time of change. For many, this can be a stressful and experimental time. Stress is an accelerator of puberty. Common stressors that will affect adolescent puberty are family troubles, divorce, absence of parent, and death of a loved one or guardian ((Bellis, Downing, Ashton, 2006). Dealing with changing bodies, various stressors, and other inhibitors supply the fuel for the trends in sexual interest, changed behavior, and peer pressures during adolescent

On one hand, it is a beautiful time of the human body developing and maturing, but on the other, it is a time of risky behavior and awkward moments. The brain is developing as well as the body. A study in San Diego observed 300 adolescents and found that it took more time for them to perform simple tasks when compared to peers’ post and pre-pubescence. This age in known for students having an overload of connectors in the brain and a lack of attention to things outside of their interests (How Does Puberty Affect Learning in Adolescents, n.d.). This time of developments affects students’ socio-emotional development as well. Students going through puberty have heightened emotions, show strong feelings, are more self-conscious, and are searching for their identity (RCN, n.d.). This is something that those who work in the classroom should take into consideration. Students at this age will most likely show their struggles in the classroom at some point. Teachers should be prepared to handle it with