Physical changes during puberty can affect adolescents' self-esteem. Boys and girls experience maturation at different rates which can cause insecurity. Factors like social acceptance, behavior, academic performance, athletics, and physical appearance influence self-esteem. Societal pressures promote thin ideals that lead some teens to unhealthy behaviors. Parents can support teens' healthy development by avoiding criticism, encouraging sleep, nutrition, activity, and open communication. Teens should accept their changing bodies and set realistic goals for themselves.

1. PHYSICAL
CHANGES

2. I. A. PHYSICAL CHANGE
 Rapid changes in body size and shape
are the most obvious signs of
approaching adolescence.
 (PHYSICAL) Of or relating to the body +
(CHANGE) to make shift from one to
another (Merriam-webster online
dictionary, 2012)

3.  Why does puberty start?
No one knows why puberty
begins precisely when it does, but
it has to do with changes in the
region of the brain called
hypothalamus. (Rice and Dolgin,
2008)

4. BIOLOGICAL VIEWS ON
ADOLESCENCE
 G. Stanley Hall: Sturm and Drang
- Believed that “ontogeny recapitulates
phylogeny”
-“Sturm und Drang” – Storm and
Stress in German
-Little could be done since they are
genetically based

5.  Arnold Gesell
-Genes determine the order of
appearance of behavioral traits &
development trends
-Difficulties and deviations will be
outgrown
-Advice to parent: do not overreact to
misbehaviour

6. ISSUES

7. EFFEC BOYS AND GIRLS A R S
TS O EA LY M TU ER
N R
BOYS GIRLS
EARLY AND LATE INSECURITY
AND MATURATION
CONSIDERED STRONGER INCOMPETENT
MAY FEEL
BETTER
EARLY LATE
MATURERS TENDS TO GO WITH OLDER
TENDS TO BE MORE MATURERS
POPULAR CROWD
LOW SELF-ESTEEM
“Teens may be concerned because they
HOLDS MORE LEADERSHIP May not have enough time to
are not physically developing at the
POSITIONS complete the necessary
same rate as their peers”
EFFEC O LA developmental tasks.
TS N TE M TU ER
A R S

8. SELF
ESTEEM

9. FACTORS THAT AFFECT SELF ESTEEM
- John W. Santrock
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE
BEHAVIORAL CONDUCT
SCHOLASTIC COMPETENCE
ATHLETIC COMPETENCE
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

10. “Physical Growth and Physical
“Many adolescent girls believe that
physical appearance is a major part of
Maturation are closely related to a
their self-esteem and their body is a
developing adolescent’s self-
major sense of self. While for boys, self-
appraisal in relation to his peers”
worth is based on abilities, rather than
looks”

11. Sexual Maturation
1. Development of sex characteristics
o Preparation
o Adolescent girls who are prepared for
menstruation in a positive way are more likely to
consider it a positive experience. (Rice and
Dolgin, 2008)
o Adults still believe that the magic age is 13
o In 1999, 6. 7% white girls & 27.7% African-
american girls show some signs of puberty by
age 7 –breast & pubic hair development

12. 2. Athletes
• Girls: Menstural irregularites
- 10% of girls who vigorously exercise may
develop amenorrhea.
-Female athlete triad:
a. disordered eating behaviour
b. Amenorrhea
c. osteoporosis

13. • Boys: use of steroids
- increase their strength and endurance
-increase muscle mass & reduce body fat
- Forms: pills, rubbed on in cream form, or
injected through syringe

14. • Serious: risk the development of liver tumors,
high blood pressure, weakening of tendons,
heart attack, strokes and blood clots, severe
acne, baldness, reduced sperm count,
enlargement of prostate gland, increased breast
size

15. 3. Result: attention becomes focused on sex, new
sexual sensations and on the people of the
opposite gender
• Adolescents give much time and attention to:
Boys Boys & Girls Girls
Grooming and clothes Thoughts and fantasies HairExperiment w/ make-
up
Body building care Sexual behaviours (kissing, Sigh over romantic movies
petting, masturbation,
intercourse)

16. 4. Height
• Genetics
• Nutrition
• Age when sexual maturation begins

17. Body Image
1. Physical attractiveness
• Personality development
• Social relationships
• Social behaviour

21. 2. Ideal
Sex Ideal Actions/Effects
Female Ectomorph Plastic surgery
Smooth and Radiant Drug intake
Skin Anorexia Nervosa
Male Mesomorph Bulimia
Skip meals
Gym

22. INFLUENCES

23. Family
• Genetics
• Lifestyle
-physical activities
-nutrition

24. SOCIETY
AND MEDIA
“Most researchers agree
that the media is largely
responsible for girls’
desire to be slender” –
Levine & Harrison, 2004

25. “Given the overwhelming
prevalence of thin and lean
female images and strong and
lean male images, body image
concerns have become
widespread among
adolescents.”

26. RECOMMENDATION
For parents:
Novella Ruffin., Extension Specialist, Virginia State University
1. Don’t criticize or compare the teens to others.
2. Encourage teens to get enough sleep.
3. Encourage and model healthy eating habits
4. Encourage and model physical activity
5. Provide honest answers to teens about sex
6. Be understanding of their need of physical space
7. Be patient with excessive grooming habits

27. ACCEPTANCE

28. DO YOU WANT CHANGES?
• SET REALISTIC GOALS.
• BE SURE THAT YOU ARE DOING IT FOR
YOURSELF, NOT FOR ANYTHING OR ANYONE
ELSE