Adolescence Development

Adolescence Development
Tiffany
October 12, 2010

The adolescence years are one of the most fascinating and complex transitions in the life span. Adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood and the ages range from 12-18 years old. Throughout these years, teenagers experience a new realm of physical and cognitive development. There are many factors that influence each stage in these particular developments. This paper will discuss some of the highlights of the physical and cognitive development stages that teenagers experience during this stage of life.
Adolescence is a period that sometimes brings about physical, social, and emotional changes. It begins with the onset of puberty. Puberty is a period where the reproductive system matures and is marked by the increase in sex hormones. Fertility is achieved, and profound psychological changes take place. This would be one of the most significant factors that affect physical development. Both males and females experience growth and maturation at different times during this span but it eventually happens.
Physical development in adolescence includes a growth spurt as the body fills out, voice changes (especially in males), and an increase in sex hormones. Also in males, they experience a growing beard. Girls' first menstruation usually occurs between the ages of 11 and 14 as cited by (Cliffs Notes, 2010) and her breasts begin to develop.
More physical characteristics of physical development are the rapid increases in height, weight, skeletal growth, and by significant changes in reproductive structures and sexual characteristics. The male also experiences pubic hair growth, facial hair growth, leg and underarm hair growth, testes, scrotum, and penis development, and he experiences his first ejaculation. In females, their growth spurt is more noticeable. They tend to grow faster. Most females are about two years ahead of boys in their growth spurt and are usually taller than most boys...