Adolescence, which marks the transitional period from childhood to adulthood, is a time of rapid changes. While the most obvious changes in your child might be physical as a result of puberty, he is also continuing his social, emotional, and moral development. Although every child develops at his own pace, there are some social changes you can expect that are both similar to and different from how an adolescent girl would develop.
Similarities
Both boys and girls are spending their adolescent years developing independence and forming their identity. As a result, your child, regardless of sex, may spend more time with friends than with family. Since adolescence is also a time of development, boys and girls are both likely to be self-conscious about their body image. For some teens, this can cause a drop in self-esteem that can hinder interactions with peers. Both boys and girls place importance on social acceptance.
Differences
Typically, girls physically mature more rapidly than boys. As a result, girls can reach a stage of confidence and self-acceptance earlier than boys of the same age, making it easier to relate to peers and move toward romantic relationships. However, it is important to note that each child is different.
Considerations
Keep in mind that every child develops at her own pace. Although there are some typical milestones and traits when it comes to your teen’s social development, the majority of her development in this area will not be affected by her gender, but rather factors such as her peers and community. You might find that she follows her own version of normal for social development or does not act like you would expect. To keep yourself in the loop, educate yourself about adolescent development and talk with your child often about her feelings and experiences in the social world.
Recommendations
You can encourage your older child’s social development by encouraging him to participate in extracurricular activities. If you notice that he spends less time at home in favor of spending time with friends, try to be understanding about the changes he is experiencing with his independence. Keep your eyes open for signs of withdrawal, which could indicate that he is having trouble relating to his peers.
Male vs. Female Adolescent Social Development
Posted On: 02-03-2017
See Related Articles
A Guide to Successful Toilet Training
Most children are ready to begin toilet training around thre ...
Posted On: 11-18-2016
read more
A Parent’s Guide to Food Aversions & Weight in Children
If your child is not gaining weight normally, it can lead to ...
Posted On: 06-10-2016
read more
Abdominal Discomfort in Babies
If your baby seems fussy and is drawing up his legs in pain, ...
Posted On: 09-02-2016
read more
ADHD More Likely to Be Missed in Minority Children
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is often characteri ...
Posted On: 08-26-2016
read more
Alarming Rates of Childhood Obesity
A new study reports that childhood obesity throughout the wo ...
Posted On: 10-13-2017
read more
Behavioral Characteristics of Children With Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a seizure condition, and while 2.5 million Ameri ...
Posted On: 07-01-2016
read more
Blood Tests to Detect FASD Could Be Possible
A new study published in POLOS ONE shows that a certain bloo ...
Posted On: 11-11-2016
read more
Can an App Improve Social Skills for Children with ASD?
A small clinical trial published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests ...
Posted On: 03-08-2019
read more
Children & Excessive Energy
Your child is likely to have more energy than you do, especi ...
Posted On: 09-23-2016
read more
Feedback