Chapter 11 - The Transition of Adolescence Flashcards
11-3a (12 cards)
what is adolescence?
a transitional period between childhood and adulthood.
**Its age boundaries are not exact, but in our society, adolescence begins at around age 13 and ends at about age 22.
is adolescence universal across cultures?
no, some cultures transition directly from childhood to adulthood with little or no adolescence.
why is adolescence prologued in our society?
due to technological progress, extended education, and economic dependence.
adolescent growth spurt
-a period of rapid height and weight gain
-caused by hormonal changes
-starts around age 9-10 in girls
-starts around age 10-12 in boys
what are secondary sex characteristics?
physical features that distinguish one sex from the other but that are not essential for reproduction—such as facial hair and broader shoulders in males, and breast growth and wider hips in females.
define puberty
the stage during which sexual functions reach maturity, which marks the beginning of adolescence
**It is during puberty that the primary sex characteristics—the structures necessary for reproduction—develop fully. In the male, these include the testes, penis, and related internal structures. Primary sex characteristics in the female include the ovaries, vagina, uterus, and other internal structures
what is menarche?
In females, puberty is typically signalled by menarche—the first occurrence of menstruation, which reflects the culmination of a series of hormonal changes.
North American girls typically reach menarche at age 12–13, with further sexual maturation continuing until approximately age 16.
what is spermarche?
North American boys typically experience spermarche—the first occurrence of ejaculation—at age 13–14, with further sexual maturation continuing until approximately age 18.
how has the timing of puberty changed over the last 150 years? why?
Today’s adolescents (both genders) begin puberty at a younger age, and complete it more rapidly, than their counterparts in earlier generations.
The most obvious potential causes are widespread improvements in nutrition and medical care, which would probably explain why the trend toward younger puberty has mostly been seen in modern, “developed” countries.
**Some theorists also believe that a variety of environmental pollutants serve as “endocrine disrupters” that hasten the onset of puberty.
which adolescents are more likely to experience distress during puberty?
Generally, girls who mature early and boys who mature late seem to experience more subjective distress with the transition to adolescence.
what risks are associated with early maturation in both genders?
increased substance use, risky behaviour, aggression, and legal trouble.
what additional risk is linked to early maturation in girls?
greater risk for eating disorders
