Puberty for Boys: Amazing Changes Inside & Out

Puberty for Boys 

Amazing Changes 

Inside & Out 

Teacher’s Guide 

AGC/United Learning 1560 Sherman Av., Suite 100 Evanston, IL 60201 1-800-323-9084 Fax 847-328-6706 

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PUBERTY FOR BOYS: 

AMAZING CHANGES 

INSIDE & OUT 

Produced By… 

Ragamuffin Movies 

Facilitator’s Guide Written By… 

Pamela Brand, Psy.D. 

Published & Distributed by… 

AGC/UNITED LEARNING 

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Suite 100 

Evanston, Illinois 60201 

1-800-323-9084 

24-Hour Fax No. 847-328-6706 

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506). 

©MMI Ragamuffin Movies 


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PUBERTY FOR BOYS: AMAZING 

CHANGES INSIDE & OUT 

Facilitator’s Guide 

Table of Contents 

Introduction ....................................... 1 

How To Use This Guide ...................... 1 

Program Objectives ............................ 2 

Pre-Viewing Questions ....................... 2 

View the Videotape ............................ 3 

Post-Viewing Discussion Questions ..... 3 

Use the Handouts.............................. 4 

Additional Activities .......................... 4 

Answer Key ...................................... 5 

Reference List ....................................7 

Script of Narration............................. 9 

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Puberty for Boys: 

Amazing Changes Inside & Out 

Teacher’s Guide 

Grades 4-8 

Introduction 

This program presents information and issues pertinent to adolescent development. 

You will observe physicians and other professionals interacting with 

teens to discuss information relevant to the physical and developmental 

changes teens can expect. This program effectively blends developmental 

ideas presented by professionals with warm and thoughtful interaction between 

the adults and teens. Topics covered include: 

* Body changes 

* Acne 

* Hygiene 

* Hormonal changes and the possible impact 

* Male sexual development 

* Female sexual development 

* The process of conception 

* Changing roles & relationships with family 

* Changing roles & relationships with peers 

* Shifting patterns of self-awareness 

* Increased level of choice and responsibility 

* Sexual feelings and attractions 

* Developing respectful relationships with girls 

* Normal stress and curiosity related to all of the above changes 

How To Use This Guide 

Preview the video and read through this guide. An effective use of the video 

and guide may include: 

1. Introducing the topic and presenting some general questions 

regarding students familiarity with changes that occur during 

puberty. 

2. View the video 

3. Summarize topics presented 

4. Encourage feedback and questions regarding the tape 

5. Lead the group through the discussion 

6. Select follow-up activities most pertinent to group needs and provide 

hand-outs. 

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Program Objectives 

After teens and teachers or other adults view this video and complete selected 

activities suggested, they should be able to: 

* Identify various changes to the body including hormonal changes 

which lead to pubic and facial hair growth, increased activity in 

sweat glands, body shape change, and sexual development. 

* Explain specific steps they can take to promote hygiene and a sense 

of comfort in response to these body changes: Skin care, bathing, 

bras, shaving, healthy diet and exercise. 

* Explain male and female sexual development, including hormonal 

changes and the process of conception. 

* Identify the various parts of the male and female sexual anatomy 

and describe the functions of each. 

* Explain the role and importance of healthy diet and exercise during 

and beyond puberty. 

* Identify normal developmental and social changes during puberty 

such as: Changing relationship with parents, increased involvement 

with peers, greater interest in intimate relationships, heightened 

concern for self-image, and more stress and mood changes related 

to biological and/or developmental changes. 

* Describe various ways to cope with these physical and emotional 

changes such as resolving family conflicts, having friends with 

healthy positive attitudes, maintaining a balanced life, finding the 

areas of strength in ones life and participating in healthy, fun 

activities. 

Pre-Viewing Questions 

1. What are some physical changes that you anticipate during your teen 

years? 

2. What are some of your questions or concerns about these changes? 

3. What psychological changes do you anticipate with friends or with your 

family? 

4. What are some of your questions or concerns about these changes? 

5. Who can you talk with when you have questions about these physical or 

emotional changes? 


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View The Videotape 

The tape runs 21 minutes long. 

Post-Viewing Discussion Questions 

1. After viewing the video, to what aspects of maturing and becoming older 

do you most look forward? 

2. What are your greatest concerns or worries about your teenage years? 

3. While watching the program, what most interested or most surprised 

you? 

4. Which information had you already known? From where had you gotten 

this information: your parents, friends, media? Had anyone ever given you 

wrong information about puberty? 

5. How do you think your relationship with your parents may change as you 

begin to get older? What are the benefits of keeping an open and honest 

communication your parents? What can you do to best maintain such a 

relationship? 

6. Why do so many teenagers feel like becoming rebellious? Is this a 

natural part of life, wanting to show off your independence and freedom? 

7. What are some examples of negative or dangerous behaviors to which 

these rebellious feelings can sometimes lead? How can this affect their 

schooling, their future careers, and their relationships with others? 

8. How can you avoid behaviors that have dangerous or negative consequences? 

How can teens have fun and show their independence in safe, 

healthy ways? 

9. How do you think diet affects growing bodies? What are the dangers of 

overeating or undereating? Which foods lack nutritional value? Which 

foods will help you grow stronger mentally and physically? 

10. How can exercise help a growing body? Do you think there are psychological 

benefits to exercise as well? How can you best keep exercise as part 

of your life? 

11. What are some of the emotions that teen boys feel? What do you think 

causes some of these feelings of loneliness, anger, or depression? 

12. What are some of the pressures boys feel that lead them to handle their 

problems alone and not seek the advice or help of others? Why do you think 

that is? 

13. If you do get feelings of loneliness, anger, or depression, what are some 

steps that you could take to help alleviate these feelings? 

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14. What qualities do you admire in people and in your friends? What does 

it mean to be a true friend? What do you truly respect in others? 

15. How about yourself? How can you be a friend to others and gain their 

trust and respect? 

16. What about members of the opposite sex? What is the value of being 

friends with both boys and girls? How can you be a true friend with girls? 

Use the Handouts 

1. Hand out Blackline Master #1: Male Reproductive Organs. 

Ask the group to label the parts. 

2. Hand out the Blackline Master #2: Crossword Puzzle. Ask the 

group to fill in the words that best fit the definition given. 

3. Hand out Blackline Master #3: Human Sexual Development. 

Have the group fill in the words that best complete the sentence. They can 

also work with partners, or even the entire group can fill it in together. 

4. Hand out Blackline Master #4: Essay Questions. Ask the group 

to answer any or all of the questions. Alternatively, you could let them 

question each other and use this as an interview sheet. 

Additional Activities 

1. Role Play #1: Ask two boys to volunteer to act out a contentious conversation 

between a teen boy and his father regarding curfew. Ask each actor to 

be passionate and convincing in their view—the teen who wants to stay out 

past curfew, and the father who refuses to consent. Have the other boys 

participate in a discussion about this issue. Ask them to try to understand 

why this issue is so important to parents. 

2. Role Play #2: Ask for five to six volunteers to perform a role play. One 

boy will be describing his sexual observations and desires towards a particular 

girl whom they all are familiar with. Another boy in the group should 

express his discomfort and disproval of this discussion, explaining that this 

girl is his neighbor and long-term friend. He will go on to state that he 

believes the conversation is disrespectful and could hurt her. 

Then ask your class or group to discuss their feelings about the scene. Who 

do they respect more - someone who treats others with dignity and respect or 

someone who treats others as only an object or as a joke? What can they do 

if some boys try to treat girls disrespectfully? 

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3. Make up a rap song or a poem about being a teen male. They can 

work with partners or a small group, with perhaps each teen coming up with 

a line. 

They can use concepts such as: 

Body change 

Hair growth 

Acne 

Hygiene 

Gender expectations 

Peer pressure 

Parent relationships 

Desire for intimate relationships with girls/self control 

Friendships with boys and girls 

Answer Key 

Blackline Master #1: Male Reproductive Organs 

urethra 

penis 

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testicles 


Blackline Master #2: Crossword Puzzle 

11 

d 

e 

8 

b 

2 a n t i p e r s p i r a n t 

s w e a t 

6 

g l 

m 

a n d 

e 

a 

1 p 

r t s 

u 

9 b r 

3 

a 

5 d e o 

w 

d o 

l 

r a n t 

s 

e d t o 

r o 10 h y g i e n e 

t l s i 

y e p s 

s u t 

p u b i c h a i r 

o e t 

r n 

e c 

12 a c n e 

Blackline Master #3: Human Sexual Development 

At the onset of puberty, our pituitary gland inside our brain begins to send tiny messengers, 

called hormones, throughout our body. Females have two small, almond-shaped organs 

called the ovaries, which contain thousands of tiny eggs. These glands begin making 

estrogen, which is the hormone responsible for many of the changes in the female body 

during puberty, including growing hair, growth spurt, and growing breasts. Also, inside 

one of the ovaries, an egg will begin to grow. When it reaches the surface of the ovary, it 

pops through and travels through one of the Fallopian tubes. Eventually, it will reach an 

organ which is shaped like an upside-down pear, called the uterus, which will have become 

lined with blood and tissue, which serve to protect the egg if it becomes fertilized. If an egg 

is fertilized, a woman has become pregnant. 

How does fertilization occur? A male adolescent has two reproductive organs, called testicles, 

which produce a male hormone called testosterone. These organs also produce 

sperm, which are tiny male cells which join with the egg to cause fertilization. 

How does the sperm get to the egg? Another sex organ, called the penis, will become stiff, 

or erect, when there is increased blood flow, allowing the male cells to flow through a tube 

called the urethra, where it may eventually swims to the join the female's egg. 


11 

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What if an egg is not fertilized? Another process will occur, called menstruation, or 

"having your period." Approximately once a month, if the egg is not fertilized, the lining 

of blood and tissue will descend through a small opening, called the cervix, and into the 

vagina. This menstrual fluid will flow out of the body for approximately three to five days. 

Many girls at this time may feel abdominal cramps, occasional fatigue, headaches, and 

even fluctuations in moods. These symptoms are called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS 

for short. Maintaining a healthy diet and moderate exercise can help ease the effects of this 

cycle of life. 

Reference List 

Girl Stuff: A Survival Guide to Growing Up by Margaret Blackstone, et al , 

May 2000. 

My Bod, My Self for Girls: The `What‚s Happening to My Body?” Workbook 

by Lynda Madaras, Area Madaras, August, 1993. 

My Body, My Self for Boys : The `What‚s Happening to My Body?” Workbook 

for Boys by Lynda Madaras, Area Madaras, December 1995. 

Body Talk: A Girl’s Guide to What’s Happening to Your Body by Victoria 

Shaw, Library Binding, September 1999. 

Changes in You and Me : A Book About Puberty, Mostly for Boys by 

Paulette Bourgeois, et al, December 1994. 

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Up Female by Ellen Kahaner. 

Library Binding, August 1997. 

From Boys to Men: All About Adolescence and You by Michael Gurian, et 

al, February 1999. 

Growing and Changing: A Handbook for Preteens by Kathy McCoy, et al, 

January 1987. 

It’s a Girl Thing : How to Stay Healthy, Safe, and In Charge by Mavis Jukes, 

Debbie Tilley(Illustrator), October 1997. 

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The Teenage Guy‚s Survival Guide by Jeremy Daldry, May1999. 

Too Tall?Too Sort?Too Fat? Too Thin? : A Guide to the Growth and 

Sexual Development of Children by Alan M. Schindler, January 1989. 

What’s Going on Down There: Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask 

by Karen Gravelle, et al, October 1998. 

What’s Happening to Me? by Peter Mayle, et al, May 1981. 

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: The New Growing-up Guide 

for Parents, 

Third Edition, by Lynda Madaras, et al, December 2000. 

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: The New Growing Up 

Guide for Parents and Daughters, Third Edition, by Lynda Madaras, et al, 

November 1987. 

Puberty In Boys : Normal Body Changes in Preteens by Chrystal de Freitas, 

September 2000. 

Puberty In Girls: Normal body Changes in Preteens by Chrystal de Freitas, 

September 

2000. 

Puberty, Sexuality, and the Self: Boys and Girls at Adolescence by Karen 

Martin, August 1996. 

Your Body, Yourself Q & A: Questions and Answers About Your Changing 

Body (Your Body, Yourself) by Alison Bell, et al, August 1999. 

Adolescence and Puberty (Kinsey Institute Series, Vol. 3) by John Bancroft 

(Editor), et al, December 1990. 

Adolescent Development and the Biology of Puberty: Summary of a Workshop 

on New Research: Forum on Adolescence by Michele D. Kipke (Editor), 

July 1999. 


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Puberty for Boys: Amazing Changes Inside & Out 

Script of Narration 

Growing up - it’s something that we all experience. For some, they can’t 

wait to grow up. Others are nervous about it. But regardless of how you may 

feel, sooner or later, it’s going to happen. For some of you, maybe it’s 

started already. For the rest of you, it’ll start soon enough. You thought 

you were growing up fast - just wait. Your body will soon change faster and 

more dramatically than ever before. It’s called “puberty.” It can be a fun 

time of life and it can be an intense time of life. But if you can learn about 

it, if you can better understand it, then you can truly appreciate and enjoy 

this big, new stage of your life. So come along , learn with us and have fun 

with us, with our little video that we call “Puberty for Boys: Amazing Changes 

inside & Out.” 

Puberty is the name given to a whole set of physical changes that we all, 

boys and girls, experience as we begin to get older. For boys, it’ll usually 

start around the age of 13 or 14, but some start as early as 10, or as late as 

16 or 17 years old. What are these changes? Well you’ll get bigger for one 

thing. 

But I’m always getting bigger, every year, right? 

Sure, yeah, but during puberty you’ll experience an even faster growth spurt. 

Plus your body will begin to change shape. Your shoulders will become 

wider. You will become more muscular. 

Generally speaking, you’ll begin to look more adult-like. 

I can handle that, what else? 

Well, you’ll get hairier. 

Underneath your arms you will begin to grow more hair. Same thing with 

your pubic hair. 

My pubic hair? 

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Sure the area near your penis will sprout a few hairs, then a few more, then a 

few more, until . . . 

Ok, I got it. I got it. 

What else? 

You’ll begin to get more facial hair. 

At first you’ll see more peach fuzz, thin little hairs, then eventually even a 

small beard. Everybody is different. Sooner or later we’ll all want to shave. 

When you feel its time you may want to ask help from your parents. But it’s 

not really as tricky as it may seem [. 

Get some shaving cream, a safe razor, and take your time. Be careful. For 

most boys, it can be an important rite of passage on their road toward manhood. 

Sounds good. What else? 

You’ll begin to smell more. 

You mean smell more like with the nose smell more or more like smell more 

like I smell more? 

Your body will emit a stronger odor. 

Really? I did not know that. 

Yep, you see as you get older, your body chemistry begins to change and 

you perspire more, especially from the sweat glands in your under arms. 

Nasty. So use more deodorant, right. 

Sure, a deodorant will cover the odor c. But you may want to use an antiperspirant, 

which will actually help you perspire less. 


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Your armpits will actually have less sweat. 

Hmm. 

Some people like one, some like the other, whatever. But you’ll definitely 

have to be sure to bathe more often. 

With puberty your body emits much more perspiration and oils. You will 

definitely want . . to maintain proper hygiene habits, and wash more. 

Wouldn’t want to stink. 

Or get acne. 

Pimples? 

Right. We have sweat glands all over our face. If one of these glands were to 

become clogged, where do the oils go? 

Well it can back up and infect the area surrounding the gland. The area 

pusses up and rises up to the skin. Most kids, to some degree, get acne, and 

it can be a real pain. It can hurt and kids don’t really like the way it looks. So 

what can you do? 

What? 

Wash your face regularly with soap, a few times a day. This will help your 

pores to stay free from oily back-up. If you develop a serious problem you 

may need to visit a dermatologist. That’s a skin doctor who can perhaps 

prescribe special medication or treatment that may help. 

Anything else? 

Well, yeah. There’s your uh, sexual . . . uh, development. 

OK. I’m ready. 

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This is a big part of it all. A big part of growing up. I mean uh . . . yeah 

maybe we should consult a doctor. 

Lucky for us, we happen to have a doctor right here. 

This is Doctor John O’Brien. He is an adolescent internist at Illinois Masonic 

Medical Center in Chicago. 

An adolescent internist. That’s for young teenagers right? 

Right. Adolescence is the transition from child to adult. 

Like puberty. 

Pretty much yeah. Puberty is the name we give for the specific physical 

changes that occur during adolescence. Adolescence is this entire time period 

of our lives. 

Okay. 

I help kids with whatever kind of illness that they might have or sometimes I 

can even help them with specific issues that they may be having with puberty. 

Okay . . good . . . great . . . perfect. So, puberty involves a sexual maturity 

right? 

Yes. Exactly. 

Okay . . . so . . . 

Well OK. Here’s what happens. It all starts with hormones. 

Hormones are like messengers. 

Yes, different organs within the body produce hundreds of various types of 


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hormones. These hormones, or tiny messengers, travel through our whole 

body. They regulate the way we eat, sleep, essentially they regulate the way 

we live. 

Right, so when puberty starts . . . 

When puberty starts . . . deep inside our brains there’s a gland. This is called 

the “pituitary gland” which produces a hormone that tells our body its time to 

mature. This hormone travels through our blood down to our reproductive 

system. Two of our reproductive organs are our testicles. This hormone 

tells our testicles “It’s time.” The testicles then begin producing another 

hormone called “testosterone.” 

Testosterone i s responsible for all the changes that we associate with puberty; 

growth spurt, facial hair, more perspiration, and even the deeper voice. 

Also the testicles are responsible for producing sperm. Sperm are the tiny 

male cells that are necessary for producing babies with a female. Throughout 

your life, your testicles will produce millions of sperm. Your body has a 

natural feeling of wanting to release the sperm, so it is common to have an 

erection, which means blood flows into the tissues of the penis, making it 

stiffen and stand up. Now when this happens it may be possible for the 

sperm to travel from the testes, through various tubes, where it is mixed with 

semen, and then through the final tube called the “urethra,” to be ejected out 

through the penis. This is called an ejaculation 

. 

It’s really quite common for boys to experience an ejaculation during puberty. 

Often these occur at night usually while you’re asleep. These are 

called a “nocturnal emissions” or “wet dreams.” Some kids - they can get 

embarrassed by it. 

It’s shocking and you kind of feel a little weird - a little dirty or something. 

Yeah. Yeah. At first. The first time. 

But it is a pretty normal thing and it happens to most people at a certain age. 

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Yeah its totally normal. I mean that’s the thing to remember - these changes 

that happen - it’s not weird. 

You’re not weird. You’re not abnormal in any way. 

It’s just natural you know? 

100% Natural. 

Yeah. So don’t feel weird about it. 

Ejaculations are really very, very common during puberty and there’s really 

nothing to be embarrassed about. 

Nice putt. 

Speaking of erections and all, it’s common for boys to uh . . . it’s uh common 

for boys . . . to uhm . . . it’s, it’s, it’s common for boys . . . to have a . 

. . 

A spontaneous erection? 

Sure, boys can get erections when they least expect it and sometimes when 

they least want it. 

It happens a lot, especially in gym because your in those shorts, those jogging 

pants, or those jogging shorts. And the girls are also in there shorts so, 

you know, their legs are showing. 

Have you ever been talking to a girl and all of the sudden you have to sit 

down? Like you have to tie your shoe or something? 

Yes. You sit down or you tie your shoe. 

“Excuse me. I have to tie my shoe.” 

Or you fix your shirt. 


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And you think “Oh my God. Everyone must know.” 

But really there is no reason to be worried about it. Nobody’s looking, nobody’s 

noticing. Don’t worry about it, think about something else, it’ll pass soon 

enough. 

You know Romeo right? 

Romeo was only 14 or 15 years old, still in the powerful throes of puberty, 

testosterone coursing through his veins. Juliet to him was the most beautiful 

and most desirable creature on this earth. Well it’ll probably feel something 

a little like that for you. 

Yep, you’ll probably feel an unbelievable attraction to girls. Or more specifically, 

a certain girl. 

A girl that seems to have it all, the object of your desire, a distant, mysterious, 

far-off creature. Well, my advice is try, first and foremost, and above all 

else . . . be a friend. 

So you wanna hang out later? 

Sure. 

Start with the understanding and respect of friendships. Respect each other 

- each others feelings and opinions. Get to know each other. Help each 

other with homework. Get to know her parents. Listen to her problems. 

Truly try to understand what she thinks and how she feels. In other words, 

be friends. If a physical relationship does develop, it’ll be strong and real. 

After all, having close friends, having that trust and that intimacy of friendship, 

is one of greatest joys in the world. 

I couldn’t agree more. 

Hey. Just in time. We were just discussing girls and all. 

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Oh yeah? 

Yeah. We’ve learned all about what boys go through during puberty, but we 

haven’t talked about what girls go through. 

Well I happen to know a lot about that. 

Well please share. 

Well, in my video “Puberty for Girls,” we learned that girls go through a lot 

of the same things as boys. They just usually go through them a couple of 

years sooner. 

They have a growth spurt, which changes their body shape, they develop 

wider hips and they develop breasts. 

They perspire more and so have to bathe more frequently. Some girls have 

to deal with acne. They begin to get more hair. Many girls choose to shave 

their legs and armpits. 

Regarding their sexual maturity, I went to visit a gynecologist, Dr. Romina 

Kee. 

Dr. Kee explained all about hormones. 

It starts in a small gland in the brain called the “pituitary gland.” The 

pituitary gland begins to make certain hormones that say, “OK body, it’s 

time.” These hormones travel through our blood down to our ovaries. 

We have two ovaries, located below our belly. Each is only about the size and 

shape of an almond and inside each, you have thousands of very, very tiny 

eggs that you were born with. The hormones tell the ovaries to begin to 

make estrogen, another hormone. 

This estrogen travels throughout our body and tells our body to grow larger 

breasts, pubic hair, and to have a more womanly shape. 


21

One of the eggs inside one of the ovaries begins to grow larger and larger. It 

reaches the surface of the ovary and then, pops through. Next to the ovaries 

are the fallopian tubes. They have a fringed end which captures the egg and 

carries it down through a thin tube toward the uterus. The uterus is shaped 

kind of like an upside-down pear. During this time the wall of the uterus 

becomes covered with a thin lining made of tissue and blood. This is like a 

pillow made to protect the egg if the egg becomes fertilized and the woman 

becomes pregnant. 

How does an egg become fertilized? 

From the man. You see, their sperm are able to travel, or swim. And if one 

can reach a woman’s egg on while on its journey to the uterus, then the egg 

becomes fertilized. 

The egg will attach to the lining and it will grow, one cell becomes two, two 

cells become four, until voila, a baby is created. 

Amazing. 

The miracle of birth. 

But if the egg is not fertilized. 

If the egg is not fertilized, then the body no longer needs the lining and its 

shed. 

So it simply slides out of the uterus down through the opening called the 

cervix, through the vagina and onto . . . well probably onto your panties. 

This is called “having your period.” It begins during puberty and happens 

just about every month. You’ve heard of maxi and mini pads and tampons 

right? 

On TV. On commercials? 

Well they’re what a woman wears to protect her clothing from getting stained 

while she’s having her period. 

22 


Maxi and mini pads are worn outside of the body, or the woman can choose to 

use a tampon which is placed inside the body. 

It’s the personal choice of the female. 

So like . . . when a girl has her period, she can get pregnant right? 

Yes. She is physically capable of becoming pregnant. 

But that doesn’t mean that she’s emotionally or intellectually capable of 

being a good mother. 

Right. Remember, going through puberty doesn’t automatically make you 

an adult. It takes many years to gain the experience and the wisdom necessary 

to become a true adult. 

Yeah, sometimes kids think after puberty “Oh I have to act all grown-up 

now,” when really they should just go on and enjoy being a kid. 

Yep. And be comfortable knowing that you deserve to receive the protection 

and the assistance and the care of those adults around you. 

In my experience so far, almost always adolescence is one of the most difficult 

times of our lives. There are certainly other difficult times to go through, 

but the challenges that are unique to adolescence we never have to go through 

again. Never will our bodies change so much in such a short amount of time. 

Never will the expectations on us change so quickly. Never will we have to 

give up so much, in order to move on. And for all these reasons there can be 

a lot of emotional difficulties. Along with physical difficulties and academic 

difficulties and relationship difficulties. So a lot of things in adolescence 

leave boys feeling kind of isolated and alone. And even feelings of confusion 

or loneliness or sadness. There is a huge new range of emotions that you 

might come across that might catch you off-guard. 

You know, all these crazy thoughts go through your head, “Oh am I cool?” 

“Maybe I am failing.” 


23

I felt very lonely. 

“Maybe I’m not succeeding.” 

Like you go through different moods. 

My self-esteem is very fragile. 

My first year of high school was just God-awful. 

Different hormones going on through your body, you know. 

Depression is really common. 

You are basically really insecure at that point. 

As a result I just became more lonely, more withdrawn and more depressed. 

But your security comes. It’ll come. It comes for everyone. You’ll become 

secure. 

In some ways its just your body changing and the hormones changing and 

that can mess up anybody. And also as you see yourself differently and see 

the world differently. So you react differently to them. And you change the 

way you change to the opposite sex. No longer do girls seem to have "cooties", 

no longer do girls seem boring, or undesirable. All of the sudden girls 

seem like very interesting things. 

Girls? 

Girls. 

Girls. 

Girls. 

Yeah basically girls. 

24 


Girls. Girls. Girls. 

Girls is the main thing - that’s a big thing that makes you feel kind of 

insecure or kind of weird. 

We develop different kind of feelings; sexual feelings, romantic feelings, and 

also feelings of embarrassment shame and doubt. Also feelings of boldness 

and bravery. And all of these things kind of combine into - what do we do 

with that girl across the room , “How do I talk to the cute girl in the next 

classroom, or down the street.” Just because you are sexually attracted to a 

girl, may not mean she’s sexually attracted to you. And that should not be 

seen as a rejection, or a put down, or a mark against your own sexuality. 

Rather she’s not ready for that kind of thing, or she’s not interested in that 

kind of thing with you. 

And if a girl doesn’t like you for who you are . . . 

Then that’s not your girl. 

Right. Exactly. It’s not the girl for you. There are going to be girls out there 

who going to like you for who you are no matter who you are. 

In my experience most adolescent boys go through a time where they are not 

popular at all, where they don’t fit in at all, where they’re really on their own 

for awhile. 

But nobody wants to be alone. You start thinking, “Well, what’s wrong with 

me?” 

“I can’t do this. How do I fit in?” 

“Why don’t people want to be around me?” 

I feel like I’m fake. 

“Why don’t people laugh at my jokes?” 


25

I can’t find myself. 

“Why don’t people find me attractive?” 

“I’m not popular. I’m not good looking. I’m stupid. I’ll never be good at 

anything. No one will ever like me.” When you sit by yourself, it’s very easy 

to believe these things about yourself. So I think talking to someone you 

trust and someone who you think is wise and can give you some guidance, 

can be a tremendously helpful thing during this very, very difficult time. 

Either a close friend, a close relative, or an adult who you can trust whether 

its a teacher, a counselor, or maybe a therapist. I’ve had some kids who have 

asked their parents “I think I need to talk to somebody. I think I need to talk 

to a therapist or a counselor about my problems. Mom and Dad, you’re great 

but somehow I don’t feel comfortable talking with you about some of these 

issues. 

Right. 

I don’t want to say that adolescence is always awful. I think most adolescents 

have a pretty good time as they learn about their bodies and as they 

learn about relationships. I think it’s a time of fantastic discoveries and a lot 

of very interesting ideas, and possibilities and experiences. 

Your body’s beginning to grow in a way that it never have grown before and 

so it’s important to make choices that are going to make you happy and that 

are going to make you healthier, smarter, wiser. I mean these are things we 

all want to be. 

You find a place to fit in and you find out who you are - what you like to do. 

Be in the computer club, the chess club . . . 

Different sports, basketball. 

Theater club, the football team . . . 

. . . poetry and writing and stuff like that. 

26 


You start to get creative. 

All these different things you have to try to find out where do you fit in. 

I mean what makes you, you? 

Find who you are and be comfortable with who you are. 

Don’t worry too much about what other people think. 

You get older, you make new friends, you meet girls. 

And you laugh about it. 

You got nowhere to go but up. 

But it’s difficult. But it’s fun. It’s a wild ride. 


27

1 

Name______________ 

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2 

Name______________ 


Crossword Puzzle 

Across 

2. A product that helps prevent underarm perspiration. 

4. Tubular gland which secretes perspiration. 

5. A product that help prevent underarm odor. 

9. An undergarment used to support a woman's breasts. 

10. The process of keeping the body clean. 

11. Hair that appears near our genitals. 

12. A skin condition consisting of red bumps appear on the skin, caused by clogged pores. 

Down 

1. A set of physical changes that occur as our body becomes bigger and more sexually mature. 

3. The period of life as we transition from childhood to adulthood. 

6. The rapid development of the body’s size and shape. 

7. A doctor specializing in skin care. 

8. Female mammory glands. 

11. A small opening on the skin through which oil passes. 





3 

Name______________ 


Human Sexual Development 

At the onset of puberty, our ___________ gland inside our brain begins to send tiny messengers, 

called ___________ , throughout our body. Females have two small, almond-shaped 

organs called the ___________ , which contain thousands of tiny ___________ . These 

glands begin making ___________ , which is the hormone responsible for many of the 

changes in the female body during puberty, including ___________ , ___________ , and 

___________ . Also, inside one of the ovaries, an _________ will begin to grow. When it 

reaches the surface of the ovary, it pops through and travels through one of the ___________ 

tubes. Eventually, it will reach an organ which is shaped like an upside-down pear, called the 

___________ , which will have become lined with ___________ and ___________ , 

which serve to protect the egg if it becomes fertilized. If an egg is fertilized, a woman has 

become ___________ . 

How does fertilization occur? A male adolescent has two reproductive organs, called 

___________ , which produce a male hormone called ___________ . These organs also 

produce ___________ , which are tiny male cells which join with the egg to cause fertilization. 

How does the sperm get to the egg? Another sex organ, called the ___________ , will 

become stiff, or ___________ , when there is increased blood flow, allowing the male cells to 

flow through a tube called the ___________ , where it may eventually swims to the join the 

female's egg. 

What if an egg is not fertilized? Another process will occur, called ___________ , or 

"having your period." Approximately once a month, if the egg is not fertilized, the lining of 

blood and tissue will descend through a small opening, called the ___________ , and into 

the vagina. This menstrual fluid will flow out of the body for approximately three to five days. 

Many girls at this time may feel abdominal cramps, occasional fatigue, headaches, and even 

fluctuations in moods. These symptoms are called premenstrual syndrome, or ___________ 

for short. Maintaining a healthy diet and moderate exercise can help ease the effects of this 

cycle of life. 





4 

Name______________ 


Essay Questions 

Please write a detailed paragraph about each of these issues. 

1. What are some of the dangers, stresses, concerns that teens often face? 

2. What can you do to avoid these situations? 

3. What activities can you do that are safe, fun, and healthy?

Puberty for Boys: Amazing Changes Inside & Out

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