Question
I’ve recently noticed my son’s voice changing, as if he’s beginning to enter the developmental stage. What specific characteristics can boys exhibit during their development?
Answer
Adolescence is the transitional period from childhood to adulthood, typically occurring between the ages of 10 to 20. Generally, females tend to start and end puberty earlier than males. The characteristics of male sexual development include the enlargement of the testicles, thickening and elongation of the penis, and accompanied by phenomena such as seminal emission. Due to the appearance of the Adam’s apple, the voice becomes distinctly deeper, and there are corresponding changes in facial bones. The middle stage of adolescence lasts about 1.5 years, during which growth rates can dramatically increase, possibly exceeding 10 centimeters per year. Afterward, growth rates will sharply decline until complete cessation of growth. When a boy’s jawline starts to grow stubble, it usually indicates that their height growth has stopped with little room for further increase.