Adolescence brings about many changes aside from the physical changes of puberty. In this lesson you will explore the many social and emotional changes you will experience, such as a growing desire for independence from your parents and placing more importance on spending time with and relating to a peer group.
Adolescence is the time during which we mature from childhood to adulthood. This is a time of significant physical, emotional and social change. The beginning of adolescence is signalled by the onset of puberty.
Puberty — a time of change
Puberty is triggered by a change in hormone levels in our bodies and is a time during which our bodies change physically. Our reproductive organs mature so our bodies become capable of procreating — that is, having babies.
Puberty begins at about 10 years of age but, because the changes that occur at the beginning of puberty happen inside us, we can't tell. It is not until we see the outward physical changes that we can tell puberty has begun. These outward changes usually occur at about 11–14 years of age for girls and 13–16 years of age for boys. Puberty begins at different times for all of us. Some people will begin puberty much earlier and some will begin much later. This is no cause for concern — it is another reason why we are all unique.
Hormones and puberty
The pituitary gland is located in the brain. During puberty, it releases increased amounts of growth hormone, which causes a rapid growth spurt. This growth spurt usually occurs earlier among girls. Together with a rapid growth in height, body parts such as the hands, feet and head mature to their full adult size. Internal organs also grow in size during puberty — for example, the heart and lungs increase in size. This accounts for our increased physical capacity for endurance and strength as we mature to adults.
The pituitary gland triggers the secretion of the female reproductive hormone, oestrogen, and the male reproductive hormone, testosterone. Oestrogen is secreted by the ovaries in girls and testosterone is secreted by the testes in boys.
Sexual development occurs during puberty. Both boys and girls experience enlargement and maturity of their primary sex organs. For boys, this means their penis and testes grow bigger and their testes start to produce sperm. Girls start to release mature ova (eggs) from their ovaries. The production of sperm in boys and mature ova in girls is referred to as a primary sex characteristic.
The release of the female and male reproductive hormones in greater amounts during puberty leads to the development of secondary sex characteristics, as shown in the table below.
ACTIVITIES (answer questions in a Google document titled 'Adolescence')
Similarities and differences
Think about yourself in primary school. How have you changed?
Adolescence is the time during which we mature from childhood to adulthood. This is a time of significant physical, emotional and social change. The beginning of adolescence is signalled by the onset of puberty.
Puberty — a time of change
Puberty is triggered by a change in hormone levels in our bodies and is a time during which our bodies change physically. Our reproductive organs mature so our bodies become capable of procreating — that is, having babies.
Puberty begins at about 10 years of age but, because the changes that occur at the beginning of puberty happen inside us, we can't tell. It is not until we see the outward physical changes that we can tell puberty has begun. These outward changes usually occur at about 11–14 years of age for girls and 13–16 years of age for boys. Puberty begins at different times for all of us. Some people will begin puberty much earlier and some will begin much later. This is no cause for concern — it is another reason why we are all unique.
Hormones and puberty
The pituitary gland is located in the brain. During puberty, it releases increased amounts of growth hormone, which causes a rapid growth spurt. This growth spurt usually occurs earlier among girls. Together with a rapid growth in height, body parts such as the hands, feet and head mature to their full adult size. Internal organs also grow in size during puberty — for example, the heart and lungs increase in size. This accounts for our increased physical capacity for endurance and strength as we mature to adults.
The pituitary gland triggers the secretion of the female reproductive hormone, oestrogen, and the male reproductive hormone, testosterone. Oestrogen is secreted by the ovaries in girls and testosterone is secreted by the testes in boys.
Sexual development occurs during puberty. Both boys and girls experience enlargement and maturity of their primary sex organs. For boys, this means their penis and testes grow bigger and their testes start to produce sperm. Girls start to release mature ova (eggs) from their ovaries. The production of sperm in boys and mature ova in girls is referred to as a primary sex characteristic.
The release of the female and male reproductive hormones in greater amounts during puberty leads to the development of secondary sex characteristics, as shown in the table below.
ACTIVITIES (answer questions in a Google document titled 'Adolescence')
Similarities and differences
Think about yourself in primary school. How have you changed?
- List five ways your physical appearance is different now compared with when you were in Year 4. You might like to look at old school photos to help you.
- Do you find it easier or more difficult to deal with conflicts now than when you were in primary school? Provide an example of a conflict or struggle you faced in Year 3 or Year 4 and compare it with one you have dealt with since starting high school.