Boys go through many changes as they enter into puberty, including physical and hormonal changes.
Boys go through many changes as they enter into puberty. Most boys, however, are uncomfortable talking about their bodies, and they probably won't ask any questions. You, as a parent, need to make your son aware of some of the changes he can expect. You should be as matter of fact as possible when talking about certain subjects that could be potentially embarrassing for your son. If you don't make it into a big deal, then your son shouldn't become that uncomfortable either.
Most boys begin to go through puberty in middle school, around twelve or thirteen years of age. Technically, however, a boy can enter into puberty anywhere from the age of nine to the age of fifteen. Most boys experience a rapid growth spurt during the middle school years, also. Once puberty begins, boys can grow at a rate of three to four inches per year.
During this growth spurt, you and your son may notice that his hands, arms, feet, and legs seem to grow more quickly than the rest of his body. This is not a cause for concern. Eventually, the rest of your son's body will play catch-up. Until then, he may look and feel a little awkward. It is your job as a parent to keep reminding him that his awkwardness is a temporary condition. Hopefully, his self-esteem will not suffer because most of his peers will be experiencing the same changes.
Along with the growth of his extremities will come more hair growth. Your son will begin to develop hair on his face, chest, and private areas. This is also natural. An increase in the hormone testosterone is one of the main causes of this new hair growth. Your son may also notice that the hair on his arms and legs is also thicker and more pronounced.
Testosterone will cause his private parts to increase in size, also. While there is typically an innate curiosity and urge to compare among teenage boys, your son should realize that boys will develop at individual rates, and he should not become alarmed if he isn't developing as quickly as some of his friends. He may also experience unexpected erections, which can also be embarrassing. He should understand, however, that this is a completely normal part of maturing physically.
Your son will not only grow in height, but his body will change in other ways. His shoulders will typically become broader, while his waist narrows somewhat. He may experience rapid weight gain at certain periods of time. He may also notice that his breasts become a little swollen and even tender. Again, this is due to the excess hormones in his body, and this is a temporary condition. If he seems concerned, you should reassure him that this is a natural part of puberty. If the condition seems to worsen, however, you may want to schedule a visit to your child's doctor.
An increase in hormones can also trigger the oil glands in your son's skin to work overtime. Mild skin breakouts can be expected, but serious acne problems will need to be attended to by a dermatologist. It is important that you don't let your son's acne condition rage out of control, as this could cause permanent scarring.
Finally, a telltale sign that puberty has arrived is the changing of your son's voice. One moment he may still speak in his childlike tone, and the next moment, his voice may crack as it tries to deepen. While this can be embarrassing if it happens at inopportune moments, voice changes are also quite normal. Nearly all boys experience some kind of voice change as they go through puberty.
Puberty can be confusing for teenage boys, but if they are properly educated and informed as to the changes they can expect, they should make it through this time period without too many problems.
