Puberty is a period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that occurs in early adolescence between the ages of 11-16 years. It is characterized by the development of secondary sex characteristics like breast development in females and facial hair growth in males. Puberty begins with the prepubescent stage and ends with becoming postpubescent. During puberty, hormones stimulate growth in reproductive organs and rapid growth spurts occur under the influence of pituitary and gonadal hormones. The timing of puberty can impact social and emotional development.

1. Puberty
Puberty – came from the Latin word PUBERTAS which means “age of manhood”
- The period of rapid physical maturation involving hormonal and bodily changes that takes place in early
adolescence
- The awkward stage
- Stage in development during which maturation of the sexual apparatus occurs and reproductive capacity
is attained
Characteristics of Puberty
1. Puberty is an overlapping period
- it encompasses the closing years if childhood and the beginning years of adolescence
- pubescents / pubescent children – children that are not yet sexually matured
2. Puberty is a short period
- lasts 2 – 4 years only
> rapid maturers – children who pass through puberty in two years or less
> slow maturers – children who pass through puberty in 3-4 years to complete the transformation into adults
3. Puberty is divided into stages
Prepubescent – this stage overlaps the closing year
or two of childhood.
- One who is no longer a child, but not yet an
adolescent
- The secondary sex characteristics begin to
appear but the reproductive organs are not
yet fully developed.
Pubescent – this stage occurs at the dividing line
between childhood and adolescence; the time when
the criteria of sexual maturation appears
- Secondary sex characteristics continue to
develop and cells are produced in the sex
organs
Postpubescent – this stage overlaps the first year or
two of adolescence
- Secondary sex characteristics become well
developed and sex organs begin to function
in a mature manner.
4. Puberty is a time of rapid growth and change
Puberty growth spurt – lasts for a year or two before children become sexually mature.
Puberty Growth Spurt (Pilliteri)
• 8.5 – 11.5 y/ o ; peak 12.5 y/o ~ girls

2. • 10.5 – 14.5 y/o; peak 15.5 y/o ~ boys
5. puberty is a negative phase
- (Charlotte Buhler): negative attitudes of pubescent children are characteristic mainly of the early part of
puberty.
- more pronounced in girls than boys
6. puberty occurs at a variable age
- Can occur bet. 5-19 yrs.
Girls – 11- 15 yrs
Boys – 12 – 16 yrs
Criteria of Puberty
1. menarche – girls’ first menstruation
2. adrenarche – hormonal changes in adrenal glands
3. spemarche – boys’ first ejaculation of semen
4. gonadarche- sexual maturation and development of reproductive maturity during puberty
Conditions Responsible for Puberty Changes
1. Role of Pituitary Gland
- Growth hormone ~ influential in determining the individual’s size
- Gonadotrophic hormone – stimulates the gonads to increased actuivity
2. Role of the Gonads
- With the growth and development of gonads, (the primary sex characteristics), increase in size and
become functionally matur, and the secondary sex characteristics develop.
3. Interaction of the Pituitary Gland and the Gonads
- The hormones produced by gonads, which have been stimulated by the gonadotrophic hormone
produced by the pituitary gland, act in turn on this gland and cause a gradual reduction in the amount of
growth hormone produced, thus stopping the growth process.
Physical Changes During Puberty
a. Male
• Broadening of the shoulders due to heavy muscles, giving the trunk a triangular shape
• Definite shaping of arms and legs due to muscle development
• Breast knots or slight knobs around male mammary glands
• Pubic hair extending to thighs
• Axillary hair
• Facial hair
• Voice changes
b. Female
• Broadening of shoulders, increase in roundness of hips and appearance of waistline
• Definite shaping of arms and legs because of fat
• Breast development
• Pubic hair
• Axillary hair
• Facial hair
• Hair on limbs
• Voice change from high to low pitch
Common Effects Of Puberty On Attitudes And Behavior
1. desire for isolation
2. boredom

3. 3. incoordination
4. social antagonism
5. heightened emotionality
6. loss of self confidence
7. excessive modesty
Common Effects Of Deviant Timing Of Maturation
Boys (early maturation)
• favorable reputation based on superior
athletic skills
• often chosen for leadership roles
• popular with girls because of social interests,
skills and sophistication
• self confidence and favorable self concept
because of favorable social treatment
Girls (Early maturation)
• unfavorable reputation of being stupid or
fast based on large size and precocious
social interests
• envied by other girls for grown up looks and
clothes
• often aggressive with boys because of earlier
interest in dating
• social expectations may be too high because
of mature appearance
Late Maturation
Boys
• Rarely chosen for leadership roles
• Embarrassed, self-conscious and shy
because of small undeveloped body
• Rejected by girls in social activities because
of lack of sophistication
• Self-rejectant because of unfavorable social
attitudes
Girls
• Popular with peers and often selected as
leader
• Resentful of being treated as a child
• Reputation of being nice based on lack of
social and sexual aggressiveness
• In step with boys of own age and hence not
subjected to excessive criticism and ridicule
• Often plagued by doubts about normalcy
References / Sources:

4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puberty
Pilliteri, Adele.
Maternal and Child Health Nursing: Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing family, 6th
Ed.
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (2010).
Perry, Patricia A., and Perry Anne G.
Fundamentals of Nursing : Fifth Ed.Mosby Publishing House (2001)
Developmental Psychology