Puberty And Adolescence

NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF ADOLESCENCE

CONTENT

MEANING OF PUBERTY;

Puberty is the short span of time which marks the beginning of sexual maturation. This period differs between boys and girls. Boys generally reach puberty at about the age of 14 years. Girls reach it at about 12 years of age. There are individual differences Therefore, these periods cannot be the same for everyone and for everybody.

SIGNS OF PUBERTY IN BOYS

1. Hair begin to grow on different parts of the body such as the armpit, pubic region,
2. Beard around the jaw and a moustache above the upper lip.
3. Voice breaks and becomes deeper.
4. There is change in general body appearance as muscles develop. The boy may need Larger and new clothes.
5. Sex organs develop. Sex glands called testicles produce spermatozoa or sperm.

SIGNS OF PUBERTY IN GIRLS

1. The breasts develop.
2. The body changes.
3. Hair grows on her armpits and pubic region.
4. Menstruation begins.
5. There could be skin changes and problem such as pimples.

MEANING OF ADOLESCENCE

       Adolescence is the period in every person’s life that lies between the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. It is a period of time a person matures and moves from childhood to adulthood. This is a period of life when you prepare to be an adult

ADOLESCENT

An adolescent boy or girl is someone that is passing through the adolescent period.

SPECIAL NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF ADOLESCENT

These challenges are the problems which the adolescent often face. The adolescent are neither children nor adults. They often have problems as they relate with people. Their challenges include;

1. ADJUSTMENT: They have problem adjusting to their physical changes for instance, the girls have to cope with enlarged breast and menstruation, the boy copes with changed voice and bigger penis. They are often uncomfortable, clumsy and anxious.
2. STATUS: They want to behave like adults, yet they are not fully adults. Boys may try to smoke and girls may try putting on make- ups
3. INDEPENDENCE: Adolescents often want to do things their own way. They do not like to be directed or guided by parents or other adults. This is often a source of problem
4. NEED FOR ACHIEVEMENT: Adolescents want to excel, when they fail, they become unhappy
5. PEER PRESSURE: They often want to go along with their peers. There could be negative influences from peer group, for instance, in dressing, feeling and expression of sexuality
6. PHYSICAL NEEDS: These arises as a result of the physical changes going on in adolescent. These needs include:

Balanced food needed for proper development

New clothes to replace outgrown old ones

Girls will need brassiere as their breasts develop

• NEEDS FOR PARENTAL UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT:

            Parents should:

• Understand what their adolescent children are passing through
• Be more tolerant
• Communicate freely, advice and encourage adolescents.

Evaluation:

1. What is puberty and adolescence?
2. State five signs of puberty in boys and girls
3. Mention the needs and challenges of adolescence.

Assignment:

Make a chart showing different types of decorative stitches.