The physical changes of puberty have a profound effect on our self-images. Most people are able to remember at least one event, attitude, misconception, or worry they experienced in connection with the physical changes of puberty: having had big feet; having been the first or the last to experience menarche; having been concerned about having more or less body hair than others; having worried about acne or voice change. The young people who have the most difficulty are those who must adjust to these changes earlier or later than the majority of their peers. Early or late maturation may be difficult because one of the things an adolescent does not want to do is stand out from the crowd in a way that is not admirable.
To help you reason about your own adolescent body image, as well as its impact on your development, this exercise requires you to think back to your physical appearance when you were in the middle of puberty, probably age 13 or 14 and in about eighth grade.
Upload your responses to the following questions 1 paragraph
What did you (or your friends and parents) consider your “best feature”? What was your “worst feature”—the aspect of your appearance that you felt required the most care or upgrading?
Compared to your classmates and friends, were you an average-maturing, early-maturing, or late-maturing individual? What impact do you feel the timing of your puberty had on you at the time?
How did the timing of your puberty affect who you are today?
Do the ideas you had about your physical appearance reflect your current body image? Why or why not (or to what extent)?
What words of advice concerning body image would you offer to your future or actual child at puberty?
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