Puberty refers to the stage when an individual’s sexual function is from immaturity to maturity. Biologically, it refers to the transformation period of human body development from immaturity to maturity, that is, a man’s transition from childhood to adulthood. period. During this period, the personality is mature and ready for childbirth. It can be seen from this that adolescence is mainly a stage divided based on physiological sexual maturity, and it overlaps with the life stages divided from psychological or social aspects. During human growth and development, puberty occupies half or more of the time. Puberty currently does not have a consistent age range in various countries. It generally refers to the stage from 13 or 14 years old to 17 or 18 years old. In psychology, it is also called early youth, which is equivalent to the middle school stage in education. It is characterized by the rapid development of the body. Characterized by growth. In addition to adolescence, youth will also extend to the age of 25-30. Since men mature sexually about a year later than women, the age range of puberty for men can be determined to be 14-18 years old. It is normal for it to occur 1 to 2 years earlier or later. Men of this age are usually called boys, and women of the same age are called girls. Not only do physical changes occur during adolescence, but also psychological changes often occur. Physiological growth, with sexual maturity as the main content, has a significant impact on the psychological and social aspects of adolescents, forming several important characteristics of this period:
Adolescence is a transitional period
< p>Adolescence is the period of transition from child to adult. Usually people make a clear distinction between adolescence and childhood, and the dividing line is sexual maturity. For men, the sign of sexual maturity is ejaculation (usually ejaculation during sleep at night, that is, nocturnal emissions, but there are also cases of ejaculation during masturbation); for women, menarche is the first menstrual period. The physiological development with sexual maturity as the core gives teenagers social and psychological characteristics that are obviously different from children. Individuals rely on adults during childhood, and adults restrict and determine the main content and aspects of children's lives and activities; children are not responsible for their own actions. As age increases, the scope of life and the content of activities gradually become more complex, giving teenagers different characteristics from children. They gradually develop certain intentions and responsibilities and decide for themselves how certain activities are carried out. You must bear certain criminal responsibility for your own actions, especially some criminal acts. But teenagers are also different from adults. Although they have a certain degree of independence, they are not yet completely independent; in many aspects, especially in material life, they still rely on their parents; they have not yet become fully responsible persons and are not criminally responsible for all their actions. . It can be seen that this transitional status between children and adults makes teenagers what is called marginalized people in sociology. The uncertainty of their status and the uncertainty of the requirements put forward by society make them produce address many specific mental health issues.Puberty is a period of development
Puberty is the period when a person’s physical development is completed. Research shows that there are two stages in a person's life when the body grows rapidly and the proportions of various body parts change significantly. One is during the prenatal period and the first six months after birth, and the other is during adolescence. The rapid growth and development during adolescence is called the phenomenon of adolescent growth spurt. In fact, this phenomenon begins before or at the same time as sexual maturity and ends six months to one year after sexual maturity. The rapid growth of men starts from 10.5 to 14.5 years old, reaches its peak period around 14.5-15.5 years old, and then gradually slows down. By the age of about 18, the height has reached the full development level, and the weight, muscle strength, shoulder width, pelvic width, etc. All are increased, and at the same time sexual function and secondary sexual characteristics also develop and mature. For example, as women undergo external changes such as menstruation and secondary sexual characteristics, their reproductive organs gradually mature. Pubic hair begins to appear on the vulva, vaginal secretions begin to increase, the uterus grows larger, and the follicles in the ovarian cortex begin to undergo developmental changes at different stages. . Everything indicates that the transition to sexual maturity has begun. Due to the physical and sexual development, it has a significant impact on the psychological characteristics and social life of teenagers, which also produces a series of mental health problems.
Puberty is a period of change
Puberty is the most rapid and obvious period of physical and mental changes for teenagers. During this period, men change from the child's body, appearance, behavior patterns, self-awareness, and communication. Emotional characteristics, outlook on life, etc., are separated from the characteristics of children and gradually mature, closer to adults.
These rapid changes can cause teenagers to develop mental health problems such as distress, low self-esteem, restlessness, anxiety, and even bad behaviors. Therefore, adolescence is a time that is both predictable and unpredictable. In other words, during this period, a person's development from child to adult is predictable, but what situations or problems will arise during the development process are unpredictable.
Adolescence is a period of resistance
Early on, the famous German child psychologist Charlotte Bühler once called adolescence a "passive resistance period." This name has been used ever since. Due to the gradual development and maturity of body and mind, individuals often adopt a passive and rebellious attitude towards life during this period, denying some of the good qualities developed previously. This rebellious tendency will cause teenagers to resist attitudes and behaviors towards parents, school and other requirements and norms of social life, which will cause some mental health problems that are not conducive to their social adaptation.
Puberty is a period of heavy burden
Judging from the various obligations and responsibilities that adolescent males bear and the various problems that they have to deal with, adolescence is also a period of heavy burden. . Adolescence is a transitional period. Teenagers have to gradually take on some of the work that adults have to do. The environment may constantly give them some matters that are handled by adults, which increases their burden, but these burdens are indispensable for their maturity. Without increasing the burden, it is impossible to mature in the future. Adolescence is a period of development, which determines that they have to cope with various changes and problems caused by the development and maturity of height, weight, muscle strength, etc., especially sexual development and maturity, and the psychological pressure increases relatively rapidly. Adolescence is a period of change, which determines that they must abandon various childish and naive ideas and behavior patterns while gradually establishing more mature ideas and behavior patterns that are more in line with social norms. Adolescence is a period of resistance, which determines that while coping with one's own rebellious tendencies, one must also strive to maintain and protect normal relations with society. In addition, opposite-sex interests, interactions with the opposite sex, and heavy study tasks also place a great burden on their bodies and minds, and sometimes become the main contradiction.