How Does Early Onset Of Puberty Affect Individuals Over Time?

You must have observed how girls and boys undergo changes in their teenage years and develop certain characteristics. This age is called the puberty age, in which the hormones of teenagers change and produce physiological changes in the body. Puberty can be awkward for many, as changes like breast development, voice changes, the onset of the menstrual cycle, and more can be overwhelming for many children. Why is puberty starting earlier than ever?

This Story also Contains

1. Early Puberty: Puberty Age And The Gradual Decrease
2. Changes In The Puberty Age
3. Consequences Of Early Puberty
4. Things To Be Considered In Early Puberty

Early puberty, or the growth of secondary characteristics at an early age, has been observed in recent times. How has puberty changed over time? No definite answer has been given to the cause of early puberty in teenagers, but it may be concerning as it can affect a child’s mental and emotional health. They may also not be mature enough to deal with the body changes.

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Early Puberty: Puberty Age And The Gradual Decrease

When a child starts to develop puberty changes at a rather early stage, it is known as precocious puberty. In earlier times, the puberty age was 12–14 for girls and 14–15 for boys. There were even instances when the girls used to get their first periods at the age of 17 or 18.

However, things have changed over the years as the children are reaching this phase of life too soon. Doctors consider it to be a precocious puberty if puberty hits at the age of 8–10 in girls and 10 in boys. The physical changes associated with puberty in boys typically begin with the enlargement of the testicles, which is the first sign of puberty in males. On the scrotum and just above the penis, thick, curly hair will sprout. Erections occur more frequently, and the penis and testes grow bigger.

The characteristics of girls and boys are different; however, girls have to deal with more biological as well as hormonal changes such as menstruation and the development of breasts. The cramps accompanied by periods can be physically and mentally exhausting, which may affect young girls emotionally as well.

Changes In The Puberty Age

The early onset of puberty: The average age of puberty has significantly decreased, particularly in females. The age has now decreased by five years, and they are starting their periods earlier. Concerns like childhood obesity and hormone-influenced traits can be dangerous at times, and therefore, adolescents must be looked after during this period.

However, a study of the mediaeval era reveals that girls and boys attained puberty early in those times too. The skeletons were studied, which revealed that severe environmental conditions like malnutrition, Drug Abuse (alcohol consumption), laborious work, poverty, and more strained the body, and thus the hormones became active a little early. Though these conditions cannot be completely considered the actual reasons for early puberty,

Changed environmental scenarios, changed physiological and psychological statuses of parents, altered nutrition, involvement in drugs, and more have an impact on the children, and thus a rise in early puberty has been seen.

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Consequences Of Early Puberty

If the child hits puberty at 8 years of age or so, then the chances of developing certain physiological and psychological problems are high.

• Other than the bodily changes that occur in the children to prepare them for adulthood, changes like sexual interests, an increase in aggression, risk-taking behaviour, and other characteristics also develop. These changes can trigger ill-behaviour and health-damaging effects.

• Due to their early maturity, children may be involved in sexual activities of which they aren’t aware. Unprotected sex or frequent sexual activities impose a high risk of sexually transmitted diseases and teenage pregnancies. Insufficient education about pregnancies may throw teenagers into difficult situations, and they may move forward with unsafe options like contraceptives, abortion, and more. This can affect the girl’s health in the long term, leading to problems conceiving later.

• If the girls conceive at an early age and do not undergo an abortion, then the chances are that their babies will be premature and will also suffer from malnutrition. They may also result in the early death of the baby.

• Early puberty can also lead to substance abuse, like addiction to smoking, alcohol, and drugs. This increases ill behaviour like violence and anger, leading to poor health and a poor future.

• The young girls aren’t very aware of the bad touches and harassment, but early breast development may give rise to such activities. This can impact the mental state of the girl, leading to fear of touching, depression, and more.

Things To Be Considered In Early Puberty

Children dealing with early puberty can be sensitive mentally and emotionally. They may come out confused, leading to other emotions like solitude, agitation, self-harm, and more.

• Parents must be careful with children in these young years and educate them about the different secondary characteristics that evolve at this age. Feeling awkward with certain changes like hair growth on the face and body, increased perspiration, enhanced formation of breasts and buttocks, and more are normal, and these changes shouldn’t be the reason for insecurities.

• Proper awareness and education on sexual activities and their consequences must be provided to children. Creating a taboo around sex or using condoms can cause problematic results.

• Awareness around substance abuse, peer pressure, societal puberty norms, and more should also be created so that children are not slipped into degrading activities.

• Mood swings, feeling overwhelmed, or having too many emotions are also common in the case of early puberty, and therefore these mustn’t be overlooked and shall be communicated well and sensibly with parents or elders.

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