Overview:
During adolescence, male and female students go through various physical and physiological changes, until they reach adulthood and full maturity.
Key changes in the male body
- Bones and muscles grow and shoulders become broader.
- Sweat and sebaceous glands secrete more sweat and sebum.
- Acne appears.
- Hair grows in pubic area, armpits, chest and face.
- Weight and height increase.
- Voice deepens and the larynx becomes more prominent (Adam’s apple).
- Ejaculation occurs and penis and testicles grow in size.
- Erections happen. It is a stiffening of the penis as it becomes filled with blood, leading to an increase in its size and length.
- Nocturnal emissions (wet dreams) happen during sleep.
Key changes in the female body:
- Weight and height increase.
- Pelvic bones grow and hips become rounder.
- Menstruation begins.
- Breasts begin to develop.
- Acne appears.
- More sweating is noticed.
- White transparent or yellow vaginal discharge is seen. It is odorless and causes no itch.
- Menstruation is proof that the body is healthy and normal. It is the process of blood discharge from the uterus to the outside of the body through the vaginal opening. Menstrual bleeding lasts on average for 3-5 days. Sometimes it can last for up to 8-10 days. The number of days of a menstrual cycle varies from one girl to another. The duration of every girl's period is also different. At first, the menstrual cycle may be irregular for some girls. This is normal and shouldn’t cause concern. It usually takes about two years for periods to become regular.
Psychological changes in students associated with puberty:
- Self-assertion: a young person going through puberty believes that he or she has complete freedom and control over their behaviors.
- Fear of being unattractive and worrying about body image: During puberty, students start to pay more attention to their appearances in an attempt to look more attractive to others.
- Extreme sensitivity: A person can be oversensitive, angry, agitated, and anxious during puberty.
- A desire to try and explore new things: This can lead to smoking and drug abuse.
- Rebellion, outbursts of anger, and stubbornness: a desire to fight, protest, criticize and debate. All of this leads to feeling misunderstood by others.
- Self-consciousness: It is a feeling caused by fear of being blamed or ridiculed by others and a lack of self-confidence.
All foregoing changes are normal, and their severity may differ from one person to another. It is important to be patient with students going through puberty or reach out to a family member to communicate with them and discuss important issues.
General guidelines for male and female students during puberty, and how to deal with them
- Their way of conveying information should be gradual, and proportionate with the age of each student and according to what you want to learn.
- Get sufficient nutrition and water.
- At this stage, students should be advised to do sports and engage in social activities that help them make the best of their time and distract them from the changes they are going through.
- Take showers daily and use deodorant.
- Wash your hair well and keep it clean.
- Keep your genitals clean by thoroughly washing them each time you use the toilet.
- Shave the hair on your private body areas and armpits.
- Regularly wash your face with a special cleanser to prevent build-up of sebum and acne.
- Students should be educated on the harms of masturbation due to its negative physical impact on the body.
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