Growing With Age – The Teenage Years

Adolescence is the period of life between childhood and adulthood when a person undergoes many physical, emotional and social changes.

It generally begins around 10–11 years and continues through the teenage years.

A person in this stage is called an adolescent.

The period when the body becomes capable of reproduction is called puberty.

The changes during adolescence do not occur at exactly the same age in everyone.

Activity 6.1 – Observing Growth

Activity 6.1 helps students observe how height and other body features change with age.

The important idea is:

Growth is a continuous process, but its rate is not the same at all ages.

During adolescence, the rate of growth may increase rapidly, resulting in a noticeable growth spurt.

Table 6.1 – Growth During Teenage Years
The table helps us understand that:
Height generally increases rapidly during adolescence.
The timing and amount of growth vary from person to person.
Girls and boys may experience their growth spurts at different ages.
After a certain stage, the rate of increase in height becomes slower.
Important: There is no single "correct" height or exact age at which these changes must occur.

Observable Changes During Adolescence

Several changes can be observed during adolescence.

A. Increase in Height

Adolescents usually experience a rapid increase in height.

This rapid increase is called a growth spurt.

The growth rate differs among individuals.

Eventually, the rate of height increase slows down.

B. Changes in Body Structure

The body gradually changes from a child-like structure towards an adult structure.

In boys:

Shoulders generally become broader.

Muscles develop more.

In girls:

The pelvis generally becomes broader.

The body develops a more mature structure.

These changes are a normal part of growth.

Change in Voice

During puberty, the voice box (larynx) grows.

In boys, the larynx usually grows more noticeably, causing the voice to become deeper.
In girls, the voice also changes but generally becomes less deep.
The temporary cracking or variation of voice during this period is normal.

Growth of Hair

During puberty, hair begins to grow in new areas.

Hair may appear in:

Armpits
Pubic region

In boys, facial hair such as a moustache and beard may also develop.

Pimples

During adolescence, sebaceous glands (oil glands) become more active.
They produce more sebum, an oily substance.
Excess oil along with dead skin cells can block pores.
This can result in pimples or acne.

Keeping the skin clean and avoiding excessive touching or squeezing of pimples can help maintain skin hygiene.

Secondary Sexual Characteristics