Chapter 6: Adolescence: A Stage of Growth and Change

The life of a human being has stages: infancy (baby), childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood. It starts at about 10 years and goes on up to about 19 years of age. It is a time of fast growth and many changes in the body, in feelings and in the way we behave. The changes come at different ages for different people, and all of them are normal.

During adolescence the body grows fast. The most noticeable change is a sudden increase in height, known as the growth spurt. The body gains weight and muscles become stronger. In boys the voice box (larynx) grows larger and the voice becomes deeper; the bulge of the larynx is called the Adam's apple. In girls the voice also becomes slightly different but the change is less noticeable. The skin gets oily, which can cause pimples, and the sweat glands become more active. The speed of change is different for every person, so variation is normal.

Puberty is the period in adolescence when the body becomes ready for reproduction. It is controlled by hormones, which are chemical messengers made by glands. A hormone travels in the blood and tells a body part when and how to act. In boys the testes make the hormone testosterone, and in girls the ovaries make oestrogen. These hormones bring about secondary sexual characteristics, the changes that distinguish an adult male from an adult female. Boys develop facial hair, a deeper voice and broader shoulders. Girls develop breasts and wider hips. Both boys and girls develop hair in the armpit and in the private region.

During puberty the reproductive organs mature. In boys the testes begin to make sperms. In girls the ovaries begin to release an egg (ovum) about once a month. When the egg is released, the lining of the uterus becomes thick and rich in blood vessels. If the egg is not fertilised, the lining breaks down and leaves the body through the vagina as blood. This is called menstruation (periods). It generally happens every 28 to 30 days and lasts for about 3 to 7 days. The first menstruation is called menarche. It stops naturally at about 45 to 55 years of age, which is called menopause. Menstruation is a normal healthy process and not an illness or something to hide.

Along with the body, our feelings and behaviour change in adolescence. Adolescents often experience mood swings, which are quick changes in mood from happy to sad or angry. They want more independence, care more about friends and about how they look, and may feel curious, shy, anxious or excited. Strong feelings may come from changes in hormones, from pressure of studies and from new social expectations. These feelings are normal. A healthy way to deal with them is to talk to a trusted person, get enough sleep, do exercise, and follow a hobby such as art, music or sport. Anger and sadness should not be allowed to hurt ourselves or others.

Fast growth needs a balanced diet that has carbohydrates for energy, proteins for growth and repair, fats in small amounts, and vitamins and minerals for protection. Iron is especially needed to make blood, and is found in green leafy vegetables, jaggery, legumes and dates. Calcium makes bones strong and is found in milk, curd, ragi and sesame. Adolescents should also drink enough water, eat fruits and vegetables, and avoid too many junk and sugary foods. Personal hygiene is also important: bathing daily, washing hands before meals, brushing teeth twice a day, wearing clean clothes, and keeping hair and nails clean. During periods, girls should change the pad or cloth regularly (about every 4 to 6 hours), wash hands, and dispose of used pads safely wrapped in paper in a dustbin.

Regular physical activity such as walking, running, cycling, yoga and playing games keeps the body fit, builds strong muscles and bones, and improves mood. Adolescents should also sleep for about 8 to 10 hours. A balanced social life means having good friends, respecting others, resisting negative peer pressure (being pushed by friends to do wrong things), and also spending time with family. Screen time should be limited. On the internet we must be careful: do not share passwords or private photos, do not talk to unknown people online as if they were friends, and do not take part in cyberbullying, which means hurting or insulting someone using phones or the internet. If something online makes us uncomfortable, we must tell a trusted adult.

Some substances such as tobacco (cigarettes, gutkha), alcohol and other drugs harm the body and the mind. They damage the lungs, heart, liver and brain, reduce the ability to study, and can lead to addiction, which means the person cannot stop using the substance even though it is harming them. Adolescents may be tempted by curiosity, stress or the push of friends. The right response is to learn to say NO firmly, walk away, and spend time in healthy activities. If someone is already using a substance, it is not a sin or a crime to ask for help. They should talk to a trusted adult, a doctor or a counsellor. The Government has started a National De-addiction Helpline, 14446, for drug addiction, where help can be asked for.