Psychological Effects of Physical Maturity Essay Example
Psychological Effects of Physical Maturity Essay Example

Psychological Effects of Physical Maturity Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (308 words)
  • Published: November 28, 2016
  • Type: Essay
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Adolescence is a critical stage where several changes happen to a person from childhood to young adulthood. The changes particularly begin physically for both girls and boys. However, there are several studies that show that physical maturation is somewhat earlier in girls, by two years, than with boys. Also, while some adolescence reached physical maturity as early as 12 years old, some takes more or less 15-18 years old before menarche. Late physical maturation has effects on the psychological behavior of an individual.

Sherar and colleagues found out that there is a correlation that exists between physical maturation and rate of physical activities. Their research proves that people who reach physical maturation later than the others are involved in more physical activities than their peers. Boys especially engaged in more 'playful' activities. Paikoff and colleagues (1993) suggested that p

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hysical maturity has an effect with self-conceptualization of an individual and is therefore crucial to creating and maintaining relationships.

Horjatscun and Villani (2001) further emphasize that boy(s) who mature later are more likely to be under the control of their parents. Paikoff and colleagues (1993) further reiterates that physical maturation during adolescence is usually associated with conflicts and emotional distance between mothers and daughters. Needham elaborates that stress and alcohol consumption of girls who matures earlier is higher than those who are late. However, such trend is not found in boys.

With this regards, both boys and girls develops conflicts and self conception. Since girls are found to normally mature two years earlier than boys, they are also more psychologically mature. In late maturation, however, girls are more self-conscious. Since physical maturation

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in females is usually associated with menarche, being late makes them more anxious of themselves, even render themselves abnormal. Males on the other hand become more aggressive but are not subjected to the same psychological stress that late female bloomers experience.

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