Adolescence and Puberty I. Section One: Adolescent Issues Physical Issues Social Issues Psychological Issues II. Section Two: Puberty Kohlberg and Gilligan

Puberty: Adolescence Puberty: Period during which the sexual organs mature Children’s bodies begin producing hormones at an adult level Androgens: Male hormones Estrogens: Female hormones

Puberty: Onset of Puberty Menarche: Onset of menstruation in girls. Most obvious indication that she is in puberty. This is not an indication that any other part of her is growing. Spermarche: (Age 13) Boy’s first ejaculation. Nocturnal Emission: Spontaneous ejaculation following excitation during sleep. Dream does not have to be erotic May also happen while the boy is stimulating himself during exploration. Does not contain many, if any, sperm.

Median age (years) at menarche Finland Median Ages at Menarche in Selected Northern European Countries and the United States from 1845 to 1969 1980 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 18 17 16 12 15 14 13 Year Median age (years) at menarche Finland Sweden U.S.A. Norway U.K.

Puberty: Onset of Puberty Primary Sex Characteristics: Associated with the development of the organs and structures of the body that directly relate to reproduction. Gonad growth Secondary Sex Characteristics: Visible signs of sexual maturity that do not directly involve the sex organs. Males: Deep voice, body hair, facial hair Girls: Breast growth, body hair Higher hormone levels are associated with anger and depression and anxiety. Which is why we have so much trouble with them. They are not use to these uncontrollable emotions.

Puberty: Onset of Puberty Most noticeable physical changes include Pubic hair growth Facial and chest hair growth in males Breast growth in females Increased height and weight Sexual maturity Adolescent sexuality is initiated by First ejaculation, voice change, penis elongation, and testes development in males Highly irregular menstrual cycles, rounding of breasts, and widening of hips in females

Hormone Levels by Sex and Pubertal Stage for Testosterone and Estradiol Testosterone (pg/ml) Estradiol (pg/ml) 90 400 70 50 30 10 110 300 200 500 1 2 3 4 5 100 Pubertal stage Girls Boys

Puberty: Onset of Puberty Early onset of puberty can create risks for females: Depression Eating disorders Use of alcohol, drugs, and/or tobacco Earlier dating and sexual involvement with males Possible lower educational attainment Pubertal changes have a strong effect on the adolescent’s body image, dating interest, and sexual behavior

Puberty: Onset of Puberty Early onset of puberty: Not so good for females. Pretty good for males.

Males Females Onset (average) Completion (average) Normal Range and Average Development of Sexual Characteristics in Males and Females Females Onset (average) Completion (average) 15 8 9 18 14 16 11 13 10 12 17 Height spurt Menarche Penile growth Breast growth Testicular growth Growth of pubic hair Age (years)

Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Adolescent Pregnancy Rates 20 40 60 80 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 England and Wales Canada France Sweden U.S. Year

Puberty Sensory Deficits Hearing loss affects 1-2 % of adolescents. Speech impairment affects 3-5% of adolescents.

Kohlberg and Gilligan Sequence of Moral Reasoning Founder: Lawrence Kohlberg

Kohlberg and Gilligan Level 1: Preconventional Morality (Birth-9 years) Stage 1-Obedience and Punishment Orientation Avoid Punishment Stage 2-Individualism and Exchange Gain Reward Level II: Conventional Morality (9 to 20 years) Stage 3. Good Interpersonal Relationships Gain approval and avoid disapproval Stage 4. Maintaining the Social Order Duty and Guilt Level III: Postconventional Morality (20+-maybe never) Stage 5-Social Contract and Individual Rights Agreed upon rights Stage 6-Universal Principles Personal moral standards

Kohlberg and Gilligan Founder: Carol Gilligan “It is not good psychology if it leaves out half of the human race”

Adolescence Emotional development is characterized by Increased interest in self-portrayal Search for an identity Emotional swings Girls’ self-esteem declines due to puberty Boys’ self-esteem increases Identity confusion is gap between the security of childhood and autonomy of adulthood

Adolescence Identity is a self-portrait of many parts: Desired career path Religious beliefs Social and intimate relationships Sexual and gender identity Cultural or ethnic identity Personality traits Physical body image Identity formation occurs gradually over time, occurring before and continuing after adolescence

Adolescence Adolescent romantic relationships Many adolescents seek attachment or sex after acquiring basic competencies to interact romantically Cyberdating is very popular among middle school children as young as 10 years of age High school dating is more traditional Most gay and lesbian youth do little same-sex dating due to social disapproval and other factors Romantic relationships are usually described in terms of interpersonal qualities by girls and physical attraction by boys

Adolescence Adolescents and suicide: Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 13- to 19-year-olds in U.S. Females are more likely to attempt suicide Males are more likely to commit suicide Males use more lethal means than females Homosexual youths may be 3 to 7 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youths Suicide is affected by genetic and emotional factors