Boys and Puberty

Puberty is the period during which sexual organs mature and reproduction becomes possible. Boys usually begin to show signs of puberty at about 11 or 12 years of age, although puberty can start as early as age 10 or as late as age 16.

Girls show physical signs of development on the average of two years earlier than boys, but differences within the sexes also vary greatly. One teenager may complete puberty before another of the same age begins. Some boys go through puberty in a year, while others take five or six years to mature. Puberty usually lasts three or four years.

In babies and young boys, the testicles are small and close to the body. During puberty, they become larger and drop down between the legs. The scrotum, the sac that holds the testicles, becomes looser, more wrinkled and darker. If the boy is modest, the parents may be unaware of these changes. Locker room comparisons are inevitable, however, and make the adolescent's level of development clear to him. Many boys, much to their embarrassment, also develop swellings under their nipples in early puberty. This is normal and goes away within a year.

When hormone production in the testes accelerates, other developments follow. These include the appearance of pubic and underarm hair and growth of the penis. A light downy hair grows on the upper lip and a change occurs in the boy's voice.

Generally, boys are slow starters in overall growth. Once they begin to grow, however, they grow faster and for a longer time than girls do. Boys can grow four to five inches a year. At age 14 or 15, the average boy is taller, heavier and stronger than the average girl and is still growing. Boys also gain muscle during puberty, especially in the chest, shoulders and arms. The last signs of male development are the appearance of coarse facial and body hair and a deeper voice.

The sign of sexual maturation for boys is ejaculation. Although a boy is capable of having an erection at birth, his body can only produce sperm when testosterone begins circulating in his system. Some boys discover this new development through masturbation, while others have their first experience as a nocturnal emission, or "wet dream". Both are normal in boys during puberty. Boys also often have spontaneous, involuntary erections.

Boys are more likely than girls to have problems with oily skin and perspiration, including sweaty palms and foot and genital odor. Good personal hygiene and frequent changes of underwear and socks can help manage these problems.

Adolescent boys often feel that their bodies are out of control, that they either will never begin puberty or will never stop growing. Usually, the biggest question for boys is whether or not they are "normal."

Teens who know more about puberty have a much easier time getting through it than do those who are uninformed. Parents can help by educating their children before puberty occurs. Discussing nocturnal emissions with boys is especially important, since unlike other changes it may occur suddenly. The adolescent who is taken by surprise may be upset and frightened.

Teens often are embarrassed to ask questions, so parents may have to initiate these discussions. Parents should be alert to indirect or disguised questions as well and not be put off by the teen who pretends to know everything. Usually, that is just a cover-up and the youngster is actually very curious.

It would be a mistake to assume that boys only want to discuss puberty with their fathers or that they only want to discuss what happens to males during puberty. Boys need to learn about girls and girls about boys.

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