What are the other changes during puberty?

Puberty is often a time of rebellion, in which familiar things, such as rules in the family, are questioned. Due to hormonal changes in the body, young people undergo emotional instability. Friends and people of the same age become very important. They are torn between being the glamour of being independent and the risk of leaving a secure life. Unfortunately, at this time peer pressure poses a grave danger of getting into conflicts and addictions – such as alcohol or drugs.

At what age does one becomes and adult?

In most countries, a person is legally treated as an adult after his/her 18^th birthday and is, considered responsible by the law for all his actions. For example, in most countries, a person is considered responsible enough to vote at the age of 18. Some cultures consider reaching physical maturity as the sign of growing-up and girls are often married at this time. In some religions, there are some ceremonies open only to boys and girls over a certain age. For instance, in Judaism, a person is allowed to read the Torah, their sacred writing, for the first time only after he/she attains a certain age.

What is the difference between sex and love?

Sex is a purely physical act, while love is also about emotions. There is trust, acceptance, security, and much more, in love. Love is a feeling that can change, and is tested at times, such as between the parents and the children during puberty and between friends. Love may include sex, but there are lifelong friendships that have nothing to do with sexuality. Sex between two people can take place without any feeling of love.

What happens at puberty ?

Puberty starts at about 11 or 12 years of age for girls and around 13 years of boys. This is a phase of development, in which the body and the mind undergo a change. Growth spurts, the production of sex hormones start, girls experience their first menstruation, and boys experience the breaking of their voices. Boys and girls start discovering their own sexuality and emotions run high. The transition from childhood to the adult phase is a special time and has different meanings in different cultures.

How does the body change?

The production of sex hormones results in the growth of breasts in girls, a broadening of the hips, and the start menstruation. In case of boys, the body becomes more muscular, testes and penis increase in size, the production of semen starts, and the night ejaculations begin. This is the time for first loves and understanding sexual orientation. A lot of activity goes on in the brain too. New nerve paths arise, and old ones disappear.

Do only boys undergo a voice change?

Girls also undergo a voice change, but it is not as pronounced as in boys. The larynx in the throat is responsible for the voice and the vocal cord are present inside it. In children, the vocal are short, so that the voice is rather shrill. During puberty, the larynx grows rapidly in boys and one can clearly see it, the 'Adam's Apple', in the centre of the throat. The vocal cords enlarge and become thicker, and the voice becomes deeper. The muscles of the vocal cords take time to adjust to the changes. Till then, the voice 'jump' between high and low tones and is either shrill or deep.

(all picture in my blogs from google image for education purpose, credit goes to google image)