Stages of Development: Puberty and Adolescent

Puberty is one of the important stages of development.

1. PUBERTY Dr. Purshottam Assistant Professor (Guest Faculty) Department of Social Work, KUK

2. PUBERTY: (12-16 yrs) Puberty is the period in the developmental span when the child changes from an asexual to a sexual being. Aristotle wrote:- for the most part males begin to produce sperm when 14 years have been completed. At the same time pubic hair begins to appear.. At the same time in females a swelling of breasts begins and menses begins to flow…

3. Characteristics of puberty: Puberty is an overlapping period because it includes the closing years of childhood and the beginning years of adolescence. Puberty is a short period , lasting from 2 to 4 years. Girls, as a group, tend to mature more rapidly than boys. Puberty is divided into stages , the prepubescent stage, pubescent stage and post pubescent stage..

4. Puberty is a time of rapid growth and change . The rapid changes that take place during puberty lead to confusion, to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, and in many cases to unfavorable behavior. During this period child experiences changes in body, changes attitude toward sex and the opposite sex, changed parent- child relationship..etc.. Puberty is negative phase Puberty occurs at a variable age

5. Body changes at puberty: Changes in body size , in terms of height and weight. Changes in body proportions , particularly appears in nose, feet and hands. Broadness of hips and shoulder. Primary sex characteristics , development of sex organs Secondary sex characteristics, physical features, hair, muscles, hips , breasts, voice, skin etc…

6. Effects of Puberty: Effects on physical well- being , (girls) headaches, backaches, cramps and abdominal pain, depression, vomiting, discomfort with looks.. Effects on attitude and behavior, desire for isolation, social antagonism, anger, moodiness, loss of self confidence.

7. Hazards of Puberty: Physical hazards : imbalanced hormonal growth, Psychological hazards : unfavorable conditions, lack of preparation for puberty changes, acceptance of changed bodies, acceptance for approved sex roles…

8. Adolescence

9. The term adolescence has a broader meaning. It includes mental, emotional, and social maturity as well as physical maturity. Beginning when children become sexually mature and ending when they reach the age of legal maturity.

10. Characteristics of Adolescent : Adolescence literally means ‘to grow to maturity’. It is an intermediary stage between childhood and adulthood characteristically possessing qualities of both stages, although not fully either of them. The age range is from 13-19 years. It is the threshold to adulthood.

11. There are rapid physical changes taking place including sexual maturity which is attained during adolescence. Adolescence is a crucial stage for the person and it encounters problems of different kinds. Adolescents are very sensitive. Adolescence is the period of change. Adolescence is a time of search for identity.

12. Developmental tasks for adolescents: Coming to terms with ones own body and accepting the changes. Achieving new and more mature relations with age mates of both sexes. Selecting and training for career. Desiring, accepting and achieving socially responsible behaviour . Achieving emotional and economic independence. Gaining self identity.

13. Some adolescent interests: Recreational interests- games and sports, relaxing, traveling, dancing, movies, television & radio, day dreaming.. Social interests- parties, drinking, drugs, conversations, helping others, world affairs, criticism and reform… Personal interests- interest in appearance, interest in clothes, interest in achievements, interest in independence, interest in money… Educational interests, religious interests,

14. Hazards of Adolescence: Physical hazards : While illness rates may be low, accidents and conflicts leading to suicide are high.. The major psychological hazards of adolescence center around the failure to make the psychological transitions to maturity that constitute the important developmental tasks of adolescence. Sexual behavior ; premarital pregnancy, rejection of the socially approved sex role.. Family relationships, moral behaivor ..