Stages of Puberty

PUBERTY

This is the period in the development span when the child changes from an asexual to a sexual being. As Root has explained 'Puberty is that stage in development during which maturation of the sexual organs occurs and reproductive capacity is attained. This stage is also called 'age of manhood' . It refers to the physical rather than the behavioral changes which occur when the individual becomes sexually mature and is capable of producing off springs.

Males begin to produce sperm when 14 years have been completed at the same time pubic hair begins to appear.

In female a swelling of the breast begins and the menses begins.

Puberty is a unique and distinctive period and is characterised by certain developmental changes that occur, at no other time in the life span.

Puberty is an overlapping period - because it encompasses the closing years of childhood and the beginning years of adolescence.

Until they are sexually mature, children are known as 'pubescents' after they become sexually mature, they are called 'adolescents'.

Puberty is a short period - last from two to four years when many and extensive changes take place inside the body as well as externally. They can be 'rapid matures' or 'slow matures'. Girl tend to mature more rapidly than boys, but there are marked variations within each sex groups.

Puberty is divided into stages - though it is short period in the life span, it is subdivided into three stages namely the prepubescent stage, the pubescent stage and the post pubescent stage.

Stages of Puberty

1. Prepubescent Stage

This stage overlaps the closing year or two of childhood when the child is regarded as a 'prepubescent' - one who is no longer a child but not yet an adolescent. During the prepubescent (or 'maturing') stage, the secondary sex characteristics begin to appear but the reproductive organs are not yet fully developed.

2. Pubescent Stage

This stage occurs at the dividing line between childhood and adolescence; the time when the criteria of sexual maturity appear - the menarche in girls and the first nocturnal emissions in boys. During the pubescent (or 'mature') stage, the secondary sex characteristics continue to develop and cells are produced in the sex organs.

3. Postpubescent Stage

This stage overlaps the first year or two of adolescence. During this stage, the secondary sex characteristics become well developed and the sex organs begin to function in a mature manner.

Puberty is a time of rapid growth and change - puberty is one of the two periods in the life span that are characterised by rapid growth and marked changes in body proportions. It is refered to as

'adolescent growth spurt'  .

Puberty is a negative phase - an 'anti' attitude towards life. There is evidence that negative attitude and behavior are characteristics mainly of the early part of puberty and that the worst of the negative phase is over when the individual becomes sexually mature. This is pronounced in girls than in boys.

Puberty occurs at a variable age - puberty can occur at any time between the ages of five or six and ninteen years. There are also variations in the amount of time needed to complete the transformation process of puberty.

Criteria of Puberty used to determine the onset and to pin point a particular stage that the child has reached are the menarche, nocturnal emissions, evidence derived from chemical analysis of the urine, x-rays of bone development.