6 PHYSICAL SELF

 Heredity is the sum of all biological processes by which particular characteristics are
transmitted from parents to their offspring.

 The set of genes that an offspring inherits from both parents, a combination of the
genetic material of each, is called the organism’s genotype. The genotype is contrasted
to the phenotype – which is the organism’s outward appearance and the developmental
outcome of its genes. The phenotype includes an organism’s bodily structures,
physiological processes, and behaviours. Although the genotype determines the broad
limits of the features an organism can develop, the features that actually develop (the
phenotype) depend on complex interactions between genes and their environment. 

 Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and testicular tissues.
Address such individuals as intersex.

 Where the person is biologically or naturally intersex, the determining factor in his
gender classification would be what the individual, having reached the age of
majority, think of his/her sex. Sexual development in cases of intersex person makes
the gender classification at birth inconclusive. He is the one to live with intersex
anatomy. To him belongs the human right to the pursuit of happiness and of health.
Thus, to him should belong the primordial choice of what courses of action to take along
the path of his sexual development and maturation (Republic vs. Jennifer Cagandahan,
GR no. 166676, September 12, 2008).

 The law does not sanction a change of first name on the ground of sex
reassignment. Rather than avoiding confusion, changing petitioner's first name for his
declared purpose may only create grave complications in the civil registry and the public
interest. Before a person can legally change his given name, he must present proper or
reasonable cause or any compelling reason justifying such change. In addition, he must
show that he will be prejudiced by the use of his true and official name. In this case, he
failed to show or even allege any prejudice that he might suffer as a result of using his
true and official name (Rommel Jacinto Dantes Silverio vs. Republic, GR no. 174689,
October 22, 2007).

* As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental factors that shape your physical
self, including those from your social peers, societal expectations, and cultural practices.
ADOLESCENCE

 Is a developmental stage that has been defined as starting with puberty and
ending with the transition to adulthood (approximately ages 10–20). 

 Has evolved historically - indicating that this stage is lengthening as individuals

start puberty earlier and transition to adulthood later than in the past.
 Puberty today begins at age 10–11 years for girls and 11–12 years for boys. This
average age of onset has decreased gradually over time since the 19th century by 3–4
months per decade. This has been attributed to a range of factors like heredity,
better nutrition, obesity, increased father absence, and other environmental
factors (Steinberg, 2013). 
 Completion of formal education, financial independence from parents, marriage,
and parenthood have all been markers of the end of it.

 Puberty is different for each individual. Physical changes include increases in

height, weight, and internal organ size as well as changes in skeletal and
muscular systems.
 The changes experienced during puberty are different for males and females:
Girls reach puberty earlier than boys and experience menarche. Boys, two or
three years later, experience spermarche or semenarche.
 Puberty is triggered by the release of hormones which lead to the development of
primary sex characteristics and secondary sex characteristics.
 Physical changes are visible to all and are different for each individual. This leads
to adolescents feeling more or less mature than others. Physical development
growth spurts occur about two years earlier in girls than boys.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
In boys, these are average ages when puberty changes may happen:

 Start of puberty: Between 9 ½ and 14 years old.

 First puberty change: Enlargement of the testicles.
 Penis enlargement: Begins about 1 year after the testicles start enlarging.
 Pubic hair appears: About 13 ½ years old.
 Wet dreams/ nocturnal emissions: About 14 years old.
 Hair under the arms and on the face, voice change, and acne: About 15 years old.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
In girls, these are average ages when puberty changes may happen:
 Start of puberty: Between 8 and 13 years old.
 First puberty change: Breast development.
 Pubic hair appears: Shortly after breast development.
 Hair under the arms: About 12 years old.
 Menstrual periods: Between 10 and 16 ½ years old.

 Steinberg (2004) stated that adolescence is a period of heightened vulnerability to

risk taking because of a disjunction between novelty and sensation seeking and
the development of self-regulatory competence. This disjunction is biologically driven
and unlikely to be remedied through educational interventions designed to
change adolescents' perception, appraisal, or understanding of risk.
 Guerri and Pascual (2010) found that the developing brain is vulnerable to the damaging
effects of ethanol. Early exposure to alcohol sensitizes the neurocircuitry of addiction
and contributes to vulnerability to drug addiction. 
 Bava and Tapert (2010) found that binge drinking behaviors comorbid with
marijuana use. Jacobus and Tapert (2012) found that teens who are alcohol users,
has a family history of alcoholism, and participate in binge drinking behaviors, often
show poorer neurocognitive performance, alterations in gray and white matter
brain structure, and discrepant functional brain activation patterns. Such makes
them vulnerable to alcohol/ substance use disorder.