The onset puberty marks the beginning of adulescence. Among boys, puberty starts at about the age of thirteen or fourteen. Girls mature teo years early than boys. During this period, there are marked changes that are taking place in the body. These changes are normal. There is nothing to be afraid of or be unhappy about because all these are part of growing up. What important is to umderstand what is happening, so that adjustments can be made in order to contribute to satisfying family life.

Understand the different changes occuring at puberty.

The teenage period is characterized by deffirent changes taking place outside and inside the body. Physical growth is rapid during this period. This is evident in the long bones of arms, legs and also the neck. The nose and the chin develop much faster than the other facial features.

Hand and hand with those physical changes are changes taking place inside the body. The different indocrine glands begin to activate to produce different hormones. These hormones are responsible for the physical, emotional, social, and psycological changes in the body.

One of those changes is characterized by an increased interest of the opposite sex, as a result teenagers become preoccupied with their appearance. They worry about how they can make themselves attractive to others. They experiment on different styles of haircut and grooming aids.

Teenagers likewise grow fast socially. They expand their circle of friends and become more outgoing. They gradually learn to get along with the opposite sex in work and social activities. Healthy relationshop between opposite sex usually from properly stablished friendships.

Emotionally, they enjoy the feelings of being able to do thing ny theirselves, with less adult supervision, specially from their parents.

Maturation is dependent upon the pressure exerted by the teenager's inner drives and by the society where they belong, their environment, specially on people they deal with everyday.