The age of maturity is the period when a girl or boy is ready to reproduce offspring. Before this, the child’s body needs to go through many stages of change, both physiologically and psychologically. When the body is formed under the influence of hormones, various emotions arise, which are very contradictory.
Common changes in adolescents
Very often during the transition period, adolescents move away from their parents and adults, preferring to communicate with their peers, the desire to experiment increases. Thus, adolescents find their language with the world, develop new life strategies. If the relationship remained in their places, as in the childhood of a child, then progress is unlikely to have reached the level that is now. After all, adults are comfortable in an established world, and growing children want novelty.
During puberty, the baby's body begins to change. Secondary sexual characteristics develop: in girls, a breast appears, in boys, facial hair. At the same time, hormonal changes occur, one's own sexuality is recognized. It begins to excite the attraction to the opposite sex and at the same time frighten. The brain develops intensely, sometimes even faster than the body.
From girl to girl
At what age puberty occurs in your child can be determined by external signs. In girls from 8-9 years of age, the breast begins to develop, 11-12 years are marked by the arrival of menstruation, rashes are possible on the face. Sweat glands begin to work intensely, giving an individual smell, which is as unique as fingerprints. Although the girl may become pregnant after the onset of menstruation, this does not mean that she is psychologically prepared for this. After 4-5 years, by about 17-18 years, the girl reaches the age of maturity.
Boys' Sexual Development
Boys nowadays begin to develop on average from 11 years old, which is 2 years later than girls. The pituitary gland begins to work actively, as a result of which the genitals begin to develop. In the testes, sex hormone is produced, which actively affects the appearance: the muscles develop in the boys, the shoulders become wider, giving a masculine look. Often, acne appears on the skin. The voice undergoes changes, begins to “break”, gradually acquiring lower and deeper notes.
And although by the age of 18 boys look like young men who have taken shape, few people know at what age puberty is fully formed in them. At the age of 20-24, a young man “matures” psychologically and socially, and not just at a biological level. At this age, he is ready to start a family.
Jump forward - good or danger?
It seems that even the previous generation developed a little later than the present. And it really is. According to the doctor’s records of the middle of the 18th century, it was determined that the first menstruation in girls began at the age of 15-17, and the breaking of the voice in boys occurred at an average of 16 years. In the 60s of our century, puberty shifted in girls to 12 years, in boys to 14. Data for our time say that in girls sexual development begins at 9 years, in boys from 12.
Researchers are concerned that this poses a threat to society and humanity. A girl developed by sex at the age of 11-12 begins to experience psychological discomfort. Since her body is already different from that of her children, the problem of sexual pressure and ridicule from undeveloped peers may arise. At this age, adolescents have difficulty coping with adult problems at school.
The developmental trend of boys has not been studied so well, as few records have been preserved that would determine their maturity. The head of the Max Planck Institute, who is responsible for demographic research, Joshua Goldstein, began to study this issue using the phenomenon called the “dangerous peak”.
In the period of reaching the maximum level of male hormones, when the body has already physically developed and the ability to reproduce has been achieved, young people begin to show irresponsible strength, demonstrate their courage, sometimes they have unexplained aggression. In many countries, these factors cause the death of very young children. Therefore, this phenomenon is called the "dangerous peak".
Acceleration Causes
Scientists have not yet established the exact causes of accelerated human development in sexual terms. However, it is already possible to say exactly at what age maturity occurs. “Today, 18 years old is the same as 22 years in 1800,” says Joshua Goldstein. This is not due to progress in the technical field, the reason is in the environment. An increase in fast food restaurants and a decrease in physical activity lead to excess weight. At the moment, many products contain a large number of hormones that affect the acceleration of maturity, and the use of plastic that is convenient for people also plays a role, because it contains bisphenol A, which is found in many everyday things.
Adults in everyday life are busy almost all the time, their children spend the teenage period practically without their participation. This is not entirely bad, but good is not enough. Growing up children need unobtrusive and correct advice that will help them overcome such a difficult and important period.