Growth

Adolescents differ in the rates at which they grow. Some mature early while others mature late and these differences cause corresponding changes in the behaviour of these children. The early maturing boy, for instance, is big for his age, muscular, well built and well coordinated. He is therefore likely to be treated as an adult and his social experiences are likely to be those of an adult. He is also likely to be a good athlete, he may therefore enjoy great social prestige and popularity and these may give him poise, self assurance and generally good adjustment. The late maturing boy, on the other hand, is small for his age and he tends to be regarded and treated as a small child. He is not likely to be too successful at athletics and therefore he is not as popular as his early maturing colleagues. He may thus have feelings of inadequacy and inferiority and he may tend to withdraw and may then become isolated. Moreover, he may try to compensate for his inferiority feelings by bragging, arguing or aggressiveness. These characteristics might come to have adverse effects on both his academic performance and his social relationships.