Transitioning from Childhood to Adolescence

Transitioning from childhood to adolescence

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Transitioning from childhood to adolescence

Fact Sheet

Puberty is a time of significant change physically, psychologically and emotionally for young people. It is a process triggered by hormones that has evolved over time to ensure reproductive and parenting success.

Brain and physical changes

The first stage of puberty involves the release of adrenal androgens into the body and begins at around 6-8 years, long before any physical changes are noticeable. The second stage of puberty is triggered by the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormones, which lead to the growth of testes and ovaries, and the production of sex steroids.

During the second stage of puberty, females develop breasts and pubic hair, undergo a growth spurt and start to menstruate. Males start producing testosterone and sperm; they develop hair on their face, chest, armpits and genitals; their voice breaks and they also experience a large growth spurt.

The second stage of puberty usually begins around 10-11 years for girls and 11-13 years for boys; however it is normal for this to vary by up to 5 years. Its onset is influenced by genetics, nutrition and social factors. The pubertal process is usually complete 2-4 years after physical changes begin to occur.

Social and emotional changes

Young people also undergo a number of social and emotional changes during puberty. These are associated with finding their own identity and learning to be an adult. Some social changes can include:

* Thinking about who they are and their place in the world;

* Becoming more independent and seeking more responsibility;

* Looking for new experiences, including those that involve risk-taking;

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* Developing their own sense of values and morals; and

* Exploring their sexual identity and forming romantic relationships.

Some emotional changes during this time can include:

* Experiencing strong and intense feelings at times;

* Being more sensitive to the emotions of others;

* Being more self-conscious, in particular about physical appearance; and

* Thinking and acting as if no harm could come to them, i.e. as if they were ‘bulletproof.’

Adolescence is changing

Adolescence is different for today’s young people in that it lasts much longer than for previous generations. Prior to the early twentieth century, people experienced puberty later in their teenage years. They also became adults sooner by starting a family and beginning employment at a younger age (activities that traditionally mark the transition from adolescence to adulthood). Their adolescence was therefore much shorter.

By the mid-19th century, the age of puberty started to decline (possibly due to better nutrition) before stabilising at the current average in the 1960s. As a result, young people these days undergo puberty earlier than previous generations. The activities that signify the transition from adolescence to adulthood also occur much later. Young people tend to stay in education longer, thereby delaying their entrance to the workforce. They tend to live with their parents until they are older and continue participating in the risky behaviours associated with adolescence, e.g. drinking alcohol to excess and taking drugs. Many young people now also delay parenthood until their thirties.

A publication of the Response Ability initiative:

www.responseability.org

© Commonwealth of Australia 2015

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Puberty and mental health

Puberty is often the time where many emotional and behavioural problems arise, including anxiety and depression, substance misuse and dependence, self-harm and eating disorders. This may be as a result of the physical, social and emotional changes young people undergo during puberty, and/or a response to something happening in their life.

While adolescents are known for their emotional ups and downs, research shows that only 5-15% of young people experience extreme emotional difficulties, become rebellious or have major conflicts with their parents. Therefore it is important not to dismiss a young person experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties as a

‘typical teenager.’ It may be that there is something more significant occurring and that young person can benefit from additional support for their mental health and wellbeing.

If children and young people are supported in their wellbeing during this time, they are more likely to go on to experience positive physical and mental health as adults.

Early onset of puberty

Some children begin puberty much earlier than their peers, the cause of which is not yet well understood. However research does show that children who start puberty at an early age are at greater risk of experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties in adolescence.

It was previously thought that younger children were less equipped to deal with the changes associated with puberty (because of their age and social and emotional skill level) and developed mental health difficulties as a result. While this may still be a factor, when examined more closely it appears that children who begin puberty earlier also tend