CHAPTER 4: ADOLESCENCE
Terminology
adolescence
puberty
menarche
Puberty and Menstruation
What happens during puberty?
Puberty--a period of extremely rapid growth involving biological events with social
consequences; adolescence is culturally defined
period of life during which sexual organs mature and ability to reproduce emerges-- primary sex
characteristics and secondary sex characteristics
Variations in timing
Gender differences: timing of changes between boys and girls different: girls begin and
complete puberty 2 yrs earlier; Age of 10—most white girls, black girls earlier
The most important physiological sex difference in puberty is menarche. Menstruation—obvious
physiological difference
There is much variation in timing of bodily changes. It takes about 4 1/2 years for breast
development-- this varies greatly
differences in height, body composition and—leads to body shape difference. (Boys more
muscle, girls more fatty tissue) Differences in physical configuration increase----obvious ways
to tell boys from girls after puberty
The timing, sequence, and duration of the changes may influence teenagers’ views of
themselves.
The pubertal “fat spurt” and its implications--- Girls have rapid weight gain in the hips, breasts,
and buttocks; mostly fat which is necessary for sexual maturation
Breast development
Breast development is obvious to others, and much teasing occurs
There is a double bind—breasts are seen as necessary and attractive, but there is basically no such
thing as “perfect breasts”
Early and Late Maturation
Early—different from other girls, and way ahead of boys same age. May feel awkward
and self conscious
Lower self esteem, higher levels depression, and poorer body image. Older peers, may begin
sexual activity earlier. May be envied in HS Ok by end of HS
Late --- in synchrony with male peers Low status in Junior high—“little girls”.
By 10th grade,may be more popular and satisfied with appearance than early (may be more
slender)
Menstruation
Menarche—first menstrual period
Menstrual Pain—50 – 75% adolescents and young women report pain ea month.
(Dysmenorrhea) painful cramps
Leading cause of absence from school/work
Highly anxious women/more menstrual pain
Female anatomy and culture
The meaning of menarche in the U. S. is both positive & negative
Girls who receive no information about menstruation report much more negative experiences of
menarche. Despite anxiety, girls engage in some menarcheal competition
Menarche appears to focus girls’ attention on their bodies
Girls seem to believe menarche will transform them suddenly into a mature woman
Physical maturity can prompt parents to restrict girls
Cultural Attitudes toward menstruation
Menarche carries important messages, because sudden and dramatic event during sexual
maturation
Contradictory messages—positive and negative both
Menstrual Joy—very little research—all negative
Chrisler research: encouraged to think about positive side, more likely to feel well-being,
excitement, and bursts of energy. Sisterhood; signs not pregnant
The conspiracy of silence: Menarche and menstruation are largely taboo subjects
little attention paid to onset of menstruation.
Secrecy makes menstruation seem to be not normal; absence of information can be hazardous to
health
Menstruation stigmatizes women-- often characterized as embarrassing and a hygienic crisis
Myths and taboos
Euphemisms
Many girls ambivalent about onset of menstruation
Competition
Conspiracy of silence
Tampax study in 1981: 2/3 americans: menstruation not to be talked about at social gatherings or
office, ¼ thought unacceptable topic for home
Menstruation: embarrassing event—needs to be concealed, hygienic crisis.
Researchers: women/men: 46% refused to put unused tampon (unwrapped)to their lips, 69 %
refused to put it in their mouth, 3% would not touch
Stigmatizes women: study looked at responses people interacted with confederate who
“accidentally” dropped either a tampon or hair clip from purse. Women/tampon---considered less
competent and liked less. Participants sat farther away, no gender differences in participants
found
The Controversial Premenstrual Syndrome
Controversy—definition (200 symptoms?); idea that all menstruating women experience it—at
mercy of “raging hormones”; myth created by culture
Claim that all menstruating women experience it-- Small number--5% significant symptoms,
others report none
Mood swings: research doesn’t support—Hardie used definition of mood more
depressed or emotional—none of 83 met criteria.
Psychological cultural explanation: PMS a fact of life. Jokes and references everywhere
Hormonal factors may cause premenstrual problems in small %,
Other factors important:
Psych factor: anxiety and strong endorsement of traditionally feminine gender roles
Cultural factors: PMS well established in society, emphasis on biological explanations
Coping: monitor emotional reactions—similar to non cycle? How to reduce problems that create
depression/anxiety anytime
Positive Reactions to the Menstrual Cycle
Chrisler and colleagues (1994)
Menstrual Joy Questionnaire (Delaney et al., 1988)
Self-Concept and Identity During Adolescence
Identity—self rating of personal characteristics
Self-esteem—how much you like and value yourself. The evaluation of yourself, negative to
positive.
Recent studies: counter reports that female’s self esteem is much lower than males
Meta analysis: over 200 studies, late adolescence finds somewhat larger gap between boys/girls-European-American. Black teens less discrepancy
Social class difference found
Body image—attractiveness more important for girls than boys, from preschool on. Most
important dimension teen girls
Good looks and physical beauty
Body Image and Physical Attractiveness

Eating disorders—culture emphasizes female beauty ideal of extreme
thinness.
Adolescent girls more concerned with body weight and appearance than males
Dramatic increase in rates of eating disorders since 1980’s—goes along with increase in body
dissatisfaction in teen girls.
Media
Physical appearance vs. Athletic competence---appearance strongest predictor of self worth in
females.
Males—athletic competence. Concerned with how bodies perform, compared with females
preoccupation with how bodies look.
Girls in athletics found to have higher self esteem, along with long term health benefits
Feminist identity
Cultural identity
Transgender identity
Education and Career Planning
Young Women’s Experiences in Middle School and High School
Early Experiences in Math and Science
Subtle biases-discouraging to women
Male peers
Extracurricular groups—girls not joining
Feelings of incompetence despite high performance
School programs—encouraging science for females
Parents & Teachers—support females’ interest in nontraditional fields—seek
nonsexist career guidance
Higher Education
Demographics—females: more likely to pursue higher ed
Women—56% university grads in Canada; 56% students enrolled in US college/university
The Academic Environment
Chilly classroom climate
Women of Color and Higher Education—black women more likely to go to
college Barriers—message of not belonging, finances, family/cultural
Career Aspirations
1.Adolescent males and females have equivalent aspirations about entering prestigious
careers.
2.Adolescent females are more likely than adolescent males to choose careers that are
nontraditional for their gender.
3.Adolescent females are more likely than adolescent males to report that they have been
effective in gathering information about their future careers.
4. When considering their future careers, adolescent females are more likely than
adolescent males to emphasize the importance of marriage and children.
Personal Characteristics
Parents' Backgrounds
Career Aspirations Versus Reality—begin middle or high school with career goals, until message
of need to have boyfriend---lose sight of goals.
Romance—boyfriend may not support career ambitions, so less dedicated student
Downscaling Dreams—2/3 of group women studied—diminished aspirations—
more energy directed toward romantic relationships.
Interpersonal Relationships During Adolescence
Family Relationships During Adolescence
Adolescents and their parents
Family as basis of identification
Mothers
Discussing emotions
Gender issues
Friendships During Adolescence
Intimacy
Loyalty & trust
Intimate conversation
Interdependence vs. Autonomy
Romantic Relationships During Adolescence
Heterosexual Relationships
Duration
Characteristics of Romantic Partners
Influence on Academic Performance and Career Planning
Lesbian Relationships
Media
Research
Peers
Support groups
Early attractions
Questioning
Coming out
Self-image