Teenagers

Physical Development in Early Adolescents

Puberty Strikes Part 1 of 3!!

Puberty, next to birth itself, is the most drastic change we experience in life, but unlike birth, we are acutely aware of the exciting transitions through which we pass. In the United States, the average age for menarche, when a girl has her first menstrual period, is 12.9 years. the female adolescent growth spurt actually begins much earlier around 9.6 years. Its peak velocity is about age 11.8. Comparable milestones occur almost two years later for boys. The boys don't catch up with the girls physically until around age fifteen.

Today, this passage from childhood to adulthood is not nearly so clear-cut brief. We ask our young adolescents, who are emerging adults, to wait another six or seven years before claiming their adulthood. There is no doubt this is the reason for many of the problems and frustrations faced by modern teenagers, particularly sexual problems They have adult bodies, but they must keep them on hold. They are required to muzzle their natural urges, which for some is a very difficult thing to do. In fact, the word "teenager" was not really a part of the English language until the 1940's, and it was not until then ( or later ) that "youth work" began to be perceived as necessary. "Words for the day: Be sensitive and caring to their needs, have an open ear and be a good listener. Remember this is a very critical time in their life." (To be continued...!!)

God bless you and keep you,
Danielle Grehn

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