Ch. 9

What is Adolescence?

• Starts 10-12 years

• Ends 18-22 years

• Too many negative stereotypes

• Puberty is the start

  • boys 10-13.5 years

    • early — more positive view of self and more friends

    • late — stronger identity

  • girls 9-15 years

  • early — increased risk of smoking, drinking, depression, physical and verbal abuse in relationships

• Brain changes

  • corpus callosum thickens

  • limbic system — early

  • prefrontal — not done until 18-25

Puberty

A brain-neuroendocrine process that stimulates rapid physical changes

• Most noticeable changes

  • signs of sexual maturation

  • increases in height/weight

• Male

  • increases in body size

  • hair growth

  • voice change

• Female

  • weight/height gains

  • hair growth

  • breast growth

  • menstruation

• Hormonal Changes

  • testosterone

  • estradiol (type of estrogen)

• Hormone-behavior link

  • hormones may contribute to psychological development

  • social factors

  • behavior and mood can also affect hormones

• Body Image

  • preoccupation

  • correlation with internet usage

Sexual Identity

the bridge between the asexual and the sexual adult

• Develop sexual identity

  • manage arousal and attraction

  • develop new forms of intimacy

  • skills to regulate sexual behavior

• Involves

  • activities

  • interests

  • styles of behavior

  • sexual orientation

• Sexual Intercourse

  • 57.3% — 12th grade; 77% by 20

  • Active — 44% 12th grade, 35.3% 11th grade

  • Average age: 17

• Oral Sex

  • girls 15-24 years — 58.6% performed, 60.4% received

  • lower rates of teen pregnancy

• Sexually transmitted infections

  • 15-24 years

  • HIV rising in some areas

• Contraceptive use

  • 53.8% report using

  • female teens — condom, withdrawal, pills

Adolescent Pregnancy

• US higher rates than other countries

• Decreasing

  • health classes

  • increase contraceptives

  • fear of STI

• ethnic variations

  • higher rates Latinas and African Americans

  • lowest Asian Americans

• Risk

  • mother: depression, drop out

  • infant: lower birth rate, more illness, neurological problems