MODULE 24 – PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS

After completing this module, students should be able to describe the physical
and sexual changes accompanying puberty. Also, to identify: a) the psychological
consequences of early and late physical maturation in adolescence; b) factors that
enhance / impede the socio-emotional development of adolescents; c) causes of
possible habit disorders and ways of coping with them.

This module aims to facilitate students' understanding of the definition, traits, and
physical development of teenagers by emphasizing the puberty cheese component.
There will be a discussion of opportunities and risks for the maturing teenage child, as
well as early and late physical maturation. To encourage students to conduct additional
study on subjects like body image, social media and teenagers, and the roles and duties
of the family, school, and government, the effects of social media will be emphasized.
In human development, puberty, a biological process that typically starts at the
ages of 11 for girls and 12 for boys, is when adolescence begins. However, a number of
factors can contribute to both early and late puberty. Among these are the effects of
social environment, exercise, diet, and heredity. Early and late maturation coexist with
the cognitive and socioemotional development of adolescents. In this situation, the
teacher must be a kind person who guides and supports adolescent pupils through their
academic careers.

Defining Adolescence
Transitional changes occur in the body, cognition, and social and emotional
domains during adolescence. The teenage phase begins with the physiological changes
that accompany puberty. The exact dates of this phase vary from person to person, but
in general, puberty may occur between the ages of 11 and 12 in early adolescence;
identity problems may arise between the ages of 14 and 16 in middle adolescence; and
the transition into adulthood may occur between the ages of 17 and 20 in late
adolescence.
This module focuses on physical development. Growth spurts, or rapid growth
that happens at a rate similar to the growth of the fetus in the uterus, changes in
appearance, a feeling of unease and unfamiliarity with the body's changes, and possibly
coincidental changes in sleeping patterns and parent-adolescent relationships are all
characteristics of puberty.

Puberty Changes
A person's weight and physical size increase as they age because of growth
hormones. Hormones cause growth spurts, which are periods of puberty when growth is
accelerated. Changes in physical characteristics (leg length, shoulder breadth, and
trunk length) are common during growth spurts. The growth of the trunk, not the legs, is
attributed to the rise in height. Growth spurts in girls often start at age 10 and conclude
around age 11 and a half. There are a few more years of gradual, even growth after
that. Growth spurts in boys start at age 12 and peak at age 14, before tapering off at
age 15 and a half. Still, growth will be steady and gradual for a few more years.
 Girls typically attain adult height at age 16, while boys often do so at age 17. A
person's stage of bone development affects how tall they grow. The muscles also grow
in size and strength. Similar growth surges occur in the development of the head and
face, weight, muscle mass, and reproductive organs. Growth spurts throughout
adolescence appear to influence both the skeletal and muscular aspects.

Factors affecting development

Hormonal changes associated with puberty are noticeable. Hormones are strong,
specialized molecules that interact with the cells in the body. Hormonal changes occur
in the brain and pituitary glands at the completion of sexual development. The process
is divided into: (a) gonadotropic hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary, which
is situated at the base of the brain, close to the geometric center of the head; and (b)
the gonads, or the female and male testicles and ovaries, are stimulated by these
hormones and release their own hormones as a result. The ovaries of both sexes
secrete both testosterone and estrogen.

In the male, testosterone stimulates male characteristics comprised by (a)

spermache enlargement of the testis gland that produces sperm in the scrotum, growth
of the penis male organ for copulation, (b) capacity for ejaculation of male sperms, (c)
voice change, (d) facial hair development or beard growth, and continuing growth of
pubic hair. Occurring late in puberty, the lowering of the voice caused by enlargement of
the larynx and double lengthening of the vocal cords is viewed as the most obvious
aspect of adolescent development.

In girls, estrogen secretion triggers the beginning of breast enlargement, the

appearance of pubic hair, the widening of the hips, and menarche, or first menstruation.
The elevation of the female breast is the first external sign of puberty in girls,
accompanied by the growth of the uterus and vagina. Generally, girls achieve menarche
from age 11 until age 13. There are ethnic differences, such as African American and
European American girls exhibiting secondary sex activities as early as 8 and 9 years
and menarche as early as 11 and 12 years, respectively.

For boys, sperm is the first sign of puberty and sexual development, not
menarche. The prostate gland secretes a sticky material that must be evacuated
occasionally when it combines with semen. Sexual dreams cause your body to release
sperm while you sleep. It can also occur when a man engages in masturbation, which is
the deliberate manipulation of his male genitalia. Religion categorically prohibits
masturbating in conjunction with sexual urges; however, science sees it as a normal
occurrence up until it turns into a chronic aberration that could erode confidence in
heterosexual relationships.

The secular trend

The secular trend is a phenomenon of more rapid physical maturation during this
century. In the 1800s, girls in industrial societies had their first menstrual period at ages
15–17, and ages later in repressed societies. Today, boys reach their maximum height
at ages 18–20 and 13–14 for girls, but adult height 100 years ago was 23–25 for boys
and19–20 for girls. The secular trend is ascribed to varied factors, such as the
interaction of genetic and environmental influences, improved health care and living
conditions, and the control of infectious diseases. Better nutrition is a major factor since
it provides more protein and calories for humans from conception upwards. Observably,
the secular trend in industrial countries appears to be leveling off, while the experience
of secular trends is just starting in peasant economies around the world.

Sexual identity
Adolescence is a time of sexual exploration and experimentation with sexual
fantasies and the realities of incorporating sexuality with one's identity, as quoted by
Santrack (2005 from One's Identity (Christopher, 2001).
Adolescents are concerned about their body image, sexual attractiveness, how to
do sex, and the future of their sexual lives. Most adolescents manage to develop a
mature sexual identity, but a number go through it with much confusion.

How do adolescents develop a sexual identity?

An adolescent's sexual identity involves sexual orientation, activities, interests,
and styles of behavior (Bugwell & Rosenthal, 1996). Some adolescents are very
anxious about sex and sexual activity. Others are only a bit anxious about sex and are
sexually inactive.
Sexual orientation is a person's tendency to be attracted to people of the same
sex (homosexual orientation), of the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation), or of both
sexes (bisexual orientation).
Why an adolescent develops a specific sexual orientation is a matter of great
debate. It may boil down to the same issue of nature vs. nurture.

In terms of sexual identity, adolescence is the period when most gay, lesbian,
and transgender people begin to recognize and make sense of their feelings.
Development analyst Froiden proposed a model for the development of homosexual
identity: (a) sensitization, marked by the child's becoming aware of same-sex
attractions. (b) identity confusion when the youth is overwhelmed with feelings of inner
turmoil regarding sexual orientation; (c) identity assumption when adolescents come out
of the family and assume a self-definition as gay, lesbian, or bisexual; and (d)
commitment when the young adult adopts a sexual identity as a lifestyle. Coming to
terms with a positive LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) identity is usually
difficult for a variety of reasons, including family, race, and religious cultures. The risks
to the homosexual adolescent are real in a heteronormative environment, and LGBTs
may suffer ostracism, hurtful jokes, and even violence.

Self-esteem
A major aspect of identity formation during the period of adolescence is self-
esteem. Self-esteem is defined as one's thoughts and feelings about one's self-concept
and identity. Most theories on self-esteem state that there is a grand desire across all
genders and ages to maintain, protect, and enhance self-esteem. There is no significant
drop in self-esteem over the period of adolescence. Baseline self-esteem is stable
across adolescence, but barometric (unstable) self-esteem may fluctuate rapidly to
cause severe distress and anxiety. Girls enjoy self-esteem through supportive
relationships with friends or others who can provide social and moral support. In
contrast, boys are more likely to assert independence in defining their relationships,
deriving self-esteem from their ability to successfully influence others.

The lack of romantic competence—the failure to meet the affection of the

opposite sex—can be a major contributor to low self-esteem in adolescent boys. In a
Meyer study, the end of a romantic relationship can affect both boys and girls, but girls
are twice as likely to' experience depression, while boys are three to four times more
likely to commit suicide.

Implications for child care, education and parenting

To meet the physical development of adolescent children, parents need to be
aware of manifestations of behavioral patterns that require closer communication,
guidance, and support. The teen is especially addicted to modern gadgets for music
listening, video games, mobile phone communication, and social media posting. These
activities cause shorter sleeping times, which may contribute to increased levels of
daytime drowsiness, sleeping problems, and depression. In school, teachers need to be
aware of the possible drop in self-esteem among adolescent learners.
The teacher's support is crucial to protecting adolescent learners against severe
distress and anxiety over their schoolwork and social relationships.

Adolescents and nutrition

It is necessary for adolescents to have sufficient amounts of vitamins: B12,
calcium, zinc, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin D. The vegetarian fad can be disastrous to
adolescents who need vitamins, minerals, and protein that purely vegetable diets
cannot provide. Vegetables are good, but they should be balanced with food intake that
provides high-quality nutrition, including protein sources in milk, dairy products, and
eggs. Poor eating habits are manifested by often skipping meals and frequent
consumption of snack foods (hamburgers, fries, pizza, soft drinks, etc.) at fast-food
eateries.

Body image and the adolescent

Consciousness about body image is strong during the adolescent period. It is
important that adolescents feel confident about how they look, but the physical features
of the human body (facial looks, body size, color of skin, etc.) depend on genetic
heritage, which must be respected.
However, there is more to body image than physical looks, and these concern
good habits in relation to:
 cleanliness and grooming,
 proper wearing of clothes according to current styles,
 erect body posture,
 eye contact while communicating, and
 decorum (good form and confidence) and decency.