Adolescent development

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Teenage depression

Overview

Adolescent development

Definition:

The development of children ages 12 through 18 years old is expected to include predictable physical and mental milestones.

Alternative Names:
Development - adolescent; Growth and development - adolescent
Information:

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During adolescence, children develop the ability to:

Comprehend abstract content, such as higher mathematic concepts, and develop moral philosophies, including rights and privileges
Question old values without a sense of dread or loss of identity
Move gradually towards a more mature sense of identity and purpose
Establish and maintain satisfying personal relationships by learning to share intimacy without inhibition or dread

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Adolescence is characterized by dramatic physical changes moving the individual from childhood into physical maturity. Early, prepubescent changes are noted with the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics.

Girls may begin to develop breast buds as early as 8 years old, with full breast development achieved anywhere from 12 to 18 years. Pubic hair growth -- as well as armpit and leg hair -- typically begins at about age 9 or 10, and reaches adult distribution patterns at about 13 to 14 years.

Menarche (the beginning of menstrual periods) typically occurs about 2 years after initial pubescent changes are noted. It may occur as early as 10 years, or as late as 15 years, with the average in the United States being about 12.5 years. A concurrent rapid growth in height occurs between the ages of about 9.5 and 14.5 years, peaking somewhere around 12 years.

Boys may begin to note scrotal and testicular enlargement as early as 9 years of age, followed closely by lengthening of the penis. Adult size and shape of the genitals is typically reached by age 16 to 17 years. Pubic hair growth -- as well as armpit, leg, chest, and facial hair -- begins in males about age 12, and reaches adult distribution patterns at about 15 to 16 years.

A concurrent rapid growth in height occurs between the ages of about 10.5 to 11 and 16 to 18, peaking around age 14. Puberty is not marked with a sudden incident in males, as it is with the onset of menstruation in females. The appearance of regular nocturnal emissions (wet dreams), which may occur about every 2 weeks with the build-up of seminal fluid, marks the onset of puberty in males.

This typically occurs between the ages of 13 and 17 years, with the average at about 14.5 years. Voice change in the male typically occurs parallel to penile growth, and the occurrence of nocturnal emissions occurs with the peak of the height spurt.