Puberty: What Changes?

- Growth spurt. Rapid and dramatic increase in height and weight.

- Maturation of the primary sex characteristics, or the reproductive system. As the ovaries mature, girls experience their first menstrual period; as the testes mature, boys experience their first ejaculation.

- Development of secondary sex characteristics, the are physical characteristics that differentiate males and females such as breast development, the growth of facial hair, pubic hair, and changes in the oil and sweat producing glands (which often lead to acne).

- Changes in body composition. By the end of puberty, boys´ bodies contain three times more muscle than fat, while girls´ bodies contain nearly equal amounts of muscle and fat.

Warning Signs of Youth Violence

Though violence is difficult to predict, there are some signals that suggest that a teen may need help.

1. Difficulty controlling anger, history of tantrums and uncontrollable angry outbursts, resorts to name-calling
2. Peer rejection and difficulty in peer relations. Few or no close friends and a history of being bullied or bullying.
3. Discipline problems, delinquent activity, and carrying a weapon.
4. Unusual interest or preoccupation with weapons, explosives, and entertainment depicting violence
5. Cruelty to animals
6. School essays, projects, and other creative work reflect anger, frustration, and desires for violence.
7. Depression and/or significant mood swings
8. Threats or detailed plans to commit acts of violence

Puberty: Timing

The age of onset varies greatly. Generally, in girls puberty may begin as early as 7 or as late as 13. In boys, it may begin as early as 9 ½ or as late as 13 ½. Puberty takes from 2 to 5 years to complete, with girls beginning and ending earlier than boys.

Puberty: Causes

Puberty is triggered by parts of the brain and the endocrine system, which cause the concentration of sex hormones within the bloodstream to rise. In turn, the surge of sex hormones (such as estrogen and testosterone) prompts the physical changes that we associate with puberty.