From Adolescence to Adulthood

The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a very important and defining moment in one's life. The process is one that begins with puberty and is ended with the decisions that are chosen by the individual. While everyone will undergo their own challenges in the transition into adulthood, there are some things that will be similar, while others will vary completely. For example, boys and girls may come across the same social conflicts as one another, but as far as puberty is concerned, the process for each gender is drastically different.

For girls, puberty is a transition that begins as early as the age of 7. Between the ages of 7-14, girls will typically begin to grow pubic hair, while gaining muscular and fatty tissue in their breasts as well. This growth will continue until they have completed puberty in its entirety. The rest of the physical growth will begin at approximately 9.5 years old, menstruation between the ages of 10-16 years old. Acne is usually another issue that a female will encounter while in her stage of puberty. In addition to the many physical changes, there are social issues teenage girls must tackle as well. Issues such as gangs, promiscuity, drug abuse, and truancy all play a major role in how a girl makes her debut in the world as a woman. The more resources that are available in assisting with these various situations, the more help the student has, the less likely it is for her to perform or participate in negative behaviors. It is important for parents to remain active, positive role models for their daughter during her periods of transformation and independence. This transitioning period is a time when she may fall in love, try social drinking, attempt to use narcotics, skip school to hang out with friends, or even join a gang. It is up to the parents though, to do their all in the attempt to ensure their daughter is well off.

Boys face the same social issues as girls. In a world full of temptation such as alcohol, truancy, and promiscuity, it often proves difficult not to dabble off and rebel here and there. Many boys take advantage of such during their years of transition from boy to man. In order to overcome such negativities, just like girls, boys need strong, understanding, and supportive families who will put 100 percent into deciphering what is right for the young man. Boys have to undergo a different transformation from girls. Where as a female has to begin menstruation, grow breast tissue, etc. a male does not have that many changes to worry about. Also, females begin their transformation as early as 7 while males typically do not undergo puberty until the age of 10 when their testicles and scrotal sac begin the growth stage and pubic hair begins to grow. At the age of 11, the penis begins to grow and there is a change in voice that begins to take place. Despite the fact that boys have an easier time with puberty, physically, it still poses to be confusing and overwhelming at times.