It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

Quick-Write Exploration Teenage development is one of the toughest times of life.  Describe and explore some of the pressures you feel personally as a teenager.  How do you cope with those feelings?

Adolescence  Adolescence  the transition period from childhood to adulthood  extending from puberty to independence  Puberty  the period of sexual maturation  when a person becomes capable of reproduction

Adolescence  Primary Sex Characteristics  body structures that make sexual reproduction possible  ovaries--female  testes--male  external genitalia

Adolescence  Secondary Sex Characteristics Non-reproductive sexual characteristics -female--breast and hips -male--voice quality and body hair  Menarche (meh- NAR-key) first menstrual period

Adolescence  In the 1890’s the average interval between a woman’s menarche and marriage was about 7 years; now it is over 12 years Year Interval Year Interval Age 1890, Women 1995, Women

Adolescence  Throughout childhood, boys and girls are similar in height. At puberty, girls surge ahead briefly, but then boys overtake them at about age 14. Height in centimeters Age in years BoysGirls

Growth Changes  There is rapid growth at this time called a growth spurt. Unfortunately, arms, hands, and legs don’t all grow in proportion. Young people may feel clumsy because of the uneven growth.  Growth spurts occur earlier in adolescence for girls than for boys. Boys usually exhibit this growth between the ages of years.  Girls will grow as much as three inches while boys grow four inches during a growth spurt. one two three four five six

Early and Late Maturation Changes

Body Changes at Puberty

Adolescence: Social Development  Carol Gilligan – Gilligan believes females differ from males both in being less concerned viewing themselves as separate individuals and in being more concerned with making connections.  Males = individualistic Men do seem to have slightly better spatial skills,  Females = relationship- oriented ○ women verbal and fine motor skills

Quick Write Reflection  List the best qualities of your gender as compared to the other.  List the least desirable characteristics of the opposite gender.  Read the appropriate article and anotate it.  Discuss with a member of opposite gender

Closure Journal Entry  Evaluate your position on gender roles and how you view the opposite sex.  After reading the article, and discussing with others about your feelings, have your views changed, or have they stayed the same?  Explain your answer in a paragraph.