The Importance Of Puberty

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Adolescence is one of the most fascinating and complex transitions in the life span. Puberty is a period between childhood and adulthood, during which a growth spurt occurs, secondary sexual characteristics appear, fertility is achieved, and psychological changes take place. Puberty occurs at different ages for adolescents. Puberty generally occurs around the age of 9 to 14 for boys and 8 to 13 for girls. However, sometimes puberty occur early for some adolescents which psychologists have characterized as pubertal timing (Dubas, Graber, Peterson, 2014, p. 580). Pubertal timing is whether an adolescent's pubertal task is happening on time, early, or late compared to his or her peers (Dubas, Graber, Peterson, 2014, p. 580). According to some psychologist, adolescents who experience early puberty timing, usually deal with psychological, medical and and academic problems (Mendle, Harden, Brooks-Gunn, Graber, 2010, p. 1341). …show more content…

According to stressful change hypothesis, girls experience great emotional disturbance (Ge, Conger, Elder, 1996, pg. 3387). Girls at puberty become more vulnerable to emotional and behavioral problems (Ge, et at., 1996,, pg. 3387). According to the off-time hypothesis, early and late girls will have more psychological problems than adolescents who are on time (Ge et al, 1996, p. 3387). Psychological problems include depression, anxiety, and eating disorder (Mendle, et, al. 2010, p. 1341). Adolescents who will also have academic; absenteeism, academic difficulties, lack of pursuit of higher and medical; human papillomavirus infection-An infection that causes warts in various parts of the body, depending on the strain- obesity, and teenage pregnancy (Mendle et al, 2010, p.

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