Puberty

Puberty is a normal stage in life when a child grows into a young adult. These changes often follow a predictable pattern, but each person’s body is different and grows at it’s own pace. Therefore, even if an adolescent is not experiencing all of the expected changes at the time, it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. The links below provide a good overview of the physical changes that occur in people who have ovaries and vulvas as well as those who have penises and testicles. 

Adolescence- mental, emotional, and social growth. During this crucial and influential part of a young person’s life, they are not only dealing with the physical changes, but also the psychological and social changes they are experiencing. At this stage, adolescents usually grow more distant from their parents and family in pursuit of exploring their own identity. This may or may not lead to conflicts with the parents as adolescents learn to negotiate their new independence and freedom and begin to question old beliefs. Adolescents’ relationships with their peers take center stage and could start to include romantic relationships. In this time of self-exploration, they could experiment with the ways they dress, express themselves, as well as new interests and hobbies. 

These sudden and rapid changes adolescents go through can become a source of insecurity and self-consciousness. Teenagers often compare themselves and their development to their peers around them, and more dangerously, to unrealistic images of what they should look like that bombard them on social media. While it may seem awkward and challenging, it is important to talk to your child about these changes and reassure them that what they are going through and the emotions they are feeling are all valid and normal. If they do not want to talk to you about it, encourage them to talk to an adult you both trust, such as a teacher or relative, or provide them with age-appropriate resources to learn on their own.