The Physical Development of Adolescence

Early Maturing

If boys mature early, they tend to be taller and stronger than their peers. As a result they tend to be better in sports, feel better about themselves, and be more independent and happy. If girls mature early, they may be physically bigger than their peers and become more self-conscious. These girls tend to develop more eating disorders. Early maturing girls tend to engage in sexual activity earlier, use alcohol and drugs earlier and tend to academically perform poorer than later maturing girls.

Late Maturing

Late maturing boys tend to be more isolated and avoid group activities. Many of these late maturing boys catch-up with the early maturing boys but lack the positive self-images associated with early male maturation. Late maturing girls tend to feel stress if they do not keep up with their peers, but also tend to be taller and slimmer than their early maturing peers when they reach full height.

Adolescence

the developmental stage that begins at puberty (the ability to reproduce) to adulthood. The onset of puberty varies but the average for girls is 11 and 13 for boys. This is a period of rapid physical development. Girls obtain full height between 16-17 years of age. Boys reach their full height between 18-20.

Developmental Psychology

the study of how humans grow, develop, and change from birth to death