The changes in the body and the life of boys or girls as they mature from childhood to become young men or women is known as puberty. In both boys and girls, puberty takes place over a period of about 4 years, starting at about age 10. In this day and age, this age may be slightly younger for girls.
In boys during this period, the amount of testosterone secreted by the body increases which leads to the development of male secondary sexual characteristics. In girls during this period, the amount of estrogen secreted by the ovaries rises which leads to the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.
A comparison of Secondary Sexual Characteristics in Males & Females
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Male
|
Female
|
| a) The penis & testes grow larger. | a) The vagina & uterus grow larger. |
| b) The prostate gland and seminal vesicles begin producing lubricating fluid. | b) The vagina begins to secrete fluid. |
| c) Deeper voice: The larynx grows larger | c) Higher voice: The larynx doesn't grow as much as that in males. |
| d) Hair in the pubic area and armpit begins growing. | d) Hair in the pubic area and armpit begins growing. |
| e) Facial hair begins growing. | e) Less facial hair. |
| f) Less breast development. | f) Mammary gland development. |
| g) Skeletal muscles grow larger. | g) Less muscle mass. |
| h) The pelvis (hips) doesn't grow as wide. | h) The pelvis (hips) grows larger. |
| i) Less body fat. | i) Fat is deposited under the skin of the thighs, buttocks & breasts. |
| j) The testes begin producing sperm for release during ejaculation. | j) The ovaries begin egg production for monthly release. The menstrual cycle begins. |