PSYCH-190 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Secondary Sex Characteristic, Gonadarche, Adrenarche
16 Dec 2020
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Document Summary
Two phases of puberty are linked with hormonal changes: adrenarche and gonadarche. In girls in the u. s. , begins at approximately 9 to 10 years of age in non-latino. Whites and 8 to 9 years in african americans. In boys, begins at about 10 to 11 years of age. Menarche: the first menstrual period: occurs in mid- to late-gonadarche in girls. Spermarche: the first ejaculation of semen: occurs in early- to mid-gonadarche in boys. Higher weight, especially obesity, is linked to earlier pubertal development: a recent study concluded that earlier pubertal onset occurred in girls with a higher body mass index (bmi) Early experiences linked to earlier pubertal onset include the following: adoption, father absence, low socioeconomic status, family conflict, maternal harshness, child maltreatment and early substance use. The earlier onset of puberty is likely explained by high rates of conflict and stress in these social contexts.
