What is Puberty? 

For girls puberty usually begins between the ages of eight and thirteen years with breast development.  The menstrual cycle usually starts two to three years after the breasts develop.  Then the development of pubic hair and a growth spurt occurs, as well as hips widening and their weight increasing.  It approximately takes about three to six years for this to occur.  (Murphy, 1997).  Girls are starting puberty earlier so the sooner the education the better it will be.  For boys there is an increase in height and weight, changes in pitch of voice, ejaculation, and the development of new physical abilities.  In both boys and girls unknown sensations and impulses, like strong sexual urges, or fantasies of other people occur. (Rodriguez-Tome, 1993). 
 

Puberty Terms 

• Menarche is the beginning or the first occurrence of menstruation.
• Wet Dreams 
• Ejaculation is to eject semen abruptly 

 

 Studies that have been done show that girls know about menstruation before it occurs, but their understanding of it is limited.  In Australia mothers are the main source of information of menstruation.  These girls look at menstruation as a "hygienic crisis" rather than becoming mature.  (Moore, 1995, 89). 
Myths about having your period: 

•  Unable to go swimming.  A girl can easily go swimming with her period because of the convenience of tampons.  Tampons are placed in the vagina so they are not on the outside of your body to prevent someone from going swimming or any other physical activity. 
•  There is also the myth that everyone is able to tell you have your period; this is false.  The only way someone can tell that you have your period is if you tell him or her. 

Conclusions 

 Many adolescents do not understand what is going on with their body during puberty or why it is occurring.  Students need to have early education about their bodily and psychological changes during puberty.  They need to learn what to expect and also to detain the myths that surround puberty.  Since puberty is occurring sooner, education should start earlier in school.  Parents, especially mothers, should start talking to their daughters about menarche.  Because things like better nutrition could be the cause of girls starting their period younger.  It is evident that earlier education about puberty is needed to eliminate confusion and to educate adolescents.

References 

1.  Moore, S. (1995). Girls’ understanding and social constructions of menarche.  Journal of Adolescence, 18, 87-104. 

2.  Murphy, P. (1997). Dealing with puberty.  Exceptional Parent, 27, 77. 

3.  Rodriguez-Tome, H., (1993).  The effects of puberty changes on body image and relations with peers of the opposite sex in adolescence.  Journal of Adolescence, 16, 421-438. 

4.  American girls’ earlier puberty, (1997, August). USA Today 126, 3.