What Happens During the Adolescence Period?

The word adolescence has Latin roots. It comes from the verb adolescere which means “to grow up.”  The adolescence period is the stage between childhood and full adulthood. It starts around the age of 10 or 11 and ends when one reaches 17 to 18 years old.  This part of a person’s life, marked by puberty, is particularly difficult because all changes—physical, emotional, and biological—occur. 

Physically, the changes in adolescents are manifested in a growth spurt, appearance of body hair, change in voice pattern or pitch, breakouts caused by the production of more oil, contours in places, and bigger breasts for women. 

Physiologically, hormones, secreted by the pituitary gland, are working overtime during these years. For women, menstruation happens.   For men, hormones trigger growth in the testicles. Interest in sexual activities emerges. It is at this stage that parents should sit with their children and talk to them about responsibility and safety. 

Hormones are also the culprit for the undulating moods of adolescents. For the adults around them, it seems like anger is the only emotion that they are capable of feeling.  They may feel confused because of the demands from their parents, from school, from their peers, and the community in general. This perplexity may also come from the contradictory feeling of craving for freedom and yet wanting to stay under the protection of their parent’s care.  They are neither children nor adults and this alone is bewilderment for them. At this stage, adolescents are still grappling with their personality, making them vulnerable to influences around them.  Parents should be wary of the company they keep, what they watch, and who they talk to and associate with. 

Summary

• The adolescence period, from ages 10 to 17, is a stage characterized by significant physical, emotional, and biological changes due to puberty, including growth spurts, body hair development, and hormonal shifts.
• For females, menstruation begins during this period, while males experience growth in the testicles, and interest in sexual activities arises.
• Hormonal fluctuations contribute to mood swings and confusion, as adolescents navigate the pressures from parents, school, and peers while desiring independence but still seeking parental support.

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So, the next time someone asks you, “What happens during the adolescence period,” you know the answer. Keep it up, young genius!

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