Teenagers and puberty Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, consultant
paediatrician What is puberty? Puberty is a period of time
during which the onset of sexual maturity occurs and the
reproductive organs become functional. This is manifested in
both sexes by the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics
– growth of the breasts, pubic hair and first menstrual period
(menstruation) in girls, and facial and pubic hair and deepening
of the voice in boys. How will a child's puberty affect the
parents? A year or two before reaching puberty, the child will
change physically and emotionally. Their growth increases
suddenly, before slowing and finally stopping around the age of
18. The accelerated growth that girls experience in puberty
happens at an earlier age and an earlier stage, than for boys.
During puberty, the child's attitude towards his or her parents
is likely to change. Often, children think their parents are
hopeless, annoying and old-fashioned. In return, parents may
find their child cheeky and sullen. Ob