Adolescent Health: Physical, Social, and Cognitive Development

Running head: ADOLESCENT HEALTH
ADOLESCENT HEALTH
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1ADOLESCENT HEALTH
Introduction:
Adolescence (10-19 years) can be described as the phase of life which had recently
gained recognition in the present generation as a distinct phase of life which has its own special
requirements (Kim et al., 2015). This phase is seen to be characterized by acceleration of the
physical growth as well as psychological and behavioral changes that ultimately bring about
transformation from childhood to that of the adulthood (Kar et al., 2015). In addition to these, the
adolescents are also seen to experience changes in the social expectations as well as perceptions.
This age also accompanies the development of an individual’s capacity for abstract as well as
critical thinking ability along with the development of a sense of self-awareness when social
expectations require emotional maturity.
Physical changes:
The physical changes occurring in the adolescents make them appear adult like but still
they are found to be emotionally immature. Studies are of the opinion that appearance of acne as
well as increase in the body odor is two distinguishing features that children are developing into
adults. The most prominent physical changes occurring in the adolescents are maturation of the
genitals or puberty. Studies have found that although the timing of the puberty varies extensively
among different adolescents but it has been found that girls develop much earlier than the boys.
The onset of the menstruation is seen to be the main signal for the beginning of the
puberty for the girls. It has been found that once a girl has started to undergo menstruation in a
regular manner, she becomes capable of reproduction. Some of the other physical changes that
the girls are seen to go through include an increase in the body hairs as well as the emergence
and growth of the breast tissues. Studies opine that the average age found to be for the phase for
the puberty of girls is 12.5 years and girls who are seen to undergo maturation earlier than that of
her other friends are seen to feel awkward among the less developed friends. They can b seen to
feel inhibited from playing of sports as well. Observational studies have shown that they might
often been mistaken for matured older women and are often thrusted into situations to which
they are not emotionally ready (Vijayakumar et al., 2018). On the other hand, it has been found
that girls who undergo late maturation are seen to worry whether their bodies are functioning
normally or not. Changes in the body shape as well as the height with the widening of the hips

2ADOLESCENT HEALTH
are noticed among girls who enter adolescence. As opposed to that of the girls undergoing
adolescence, boys are seen to enter puberty in a gradual manner and not as the outcome of one
particular event. The physical changes are noticed among the boys between the age cohort of that
of 13 and that of 17 which included rapid growth as well as an increase in the hairs of the body
and the facial hair. Development of the sexual organs and even the undergoing of changes off the
voice are some of the characters observed among the male adolescents. Some of the studies have
stated that as the boy is seen to grow sexually, they are found to be starting to release nocturnal
emissions. Studies have found that the average age for the boys who are seen to enter puberty is
14 years (Berenbaum et al., 2015). There are some boys who undergo early maturation and are
mainly looked upon as the leaders as well as the athletes. This is because they are seen to obtain
increased strength of the muscles and speeding at the younger age. It had been also noticed on
the other hand that boys who mature late often gets teased by their friends which often makes
them stop interacting with their peers and undergo social isolation.
Social changes:
Adolescents are seen to undergo a number of social changes. Firstly, they are seen to
search for their identity where young people are found to be busy working out who they are and
where they fit in the world. This search are often found to be influenced by that of gender,
cultural background, peer group as well as media, family expectations and even schools.
Secondly, they are seen to be seeking for more independence and this change often influences
the decision that they make and the relationships that the child has with the family members and
friends. Third, they are also seen to seeking for more responsibility both at school as well as
home (Paul et al., 2018). Fourth, they are also seen to be thriving for more experiences. The
teenage brain development occurs in such ways that it makes the teenagers seek out for newer
experiences and also causes them to engage in more-risk taking behaviors. However, they still
try to develop control over their impulses. Fifth, they are also seen to be thinking between “right”
and “wrong”. The children are seen to build a stronger as well as that of the individual set of
values as well as morals. Studies also state that adolescents learn the need to be responsible for
the actions they take as well as their decisions as well as consequences. It is also found that they
are found to be questioning more things. Sixth, they also get influenced their peers especially
when in cases of behaviors, sense of self as well as self-esteem. Seventh, they also start to