Home Economics – PUBERTY, PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ADOLESCENCE

Home Economics JSS1

Week 5

Topic: PUBERTY, PERSONAL HYGIENE AND ADOLESCENCE

Contents: 

What is Puberty?

Menstruation

Body Odour

Special Needs and Challenges of Adolescents

INTRODUCTION

At about ten to fourteen years of age, different changes take place in the body of both boys and girls. These changes are signs of puberty.

A. WHAT IS PUBERTY?

Puberty is the short span of time which marks the beginning of sexual maturation. This period differs in both boys and girls. Boys gradually reach puberty at about the age of twelve, while girls reach at about ten to eleven.

I. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADOLESCENCE AND ADOLESCENTS

Adolescence is the period in every individual’s life that lies between the end of childhood and beginning of adulthood. It is specially a period in one’s life, when you prepare to be an adult while adolescent is a boy or girl that is passing through the adolescence period.

II. SIGNS OF PUBERTY

BOYS	GIRLS
There is increase in height	The increase in the girl is rapid, but boys later catch up with them and may overtake them
Voice breaks and become deeper and their chest broader	Hips become broader
Sex organs develop	Menstruation starts
The boys have wet dreams	The breast develops

III. SIMILAR SIGNS IN BOYS AND GIRLS

1. Pimples sometimes appears on their face but they usually disappear after a time
2. Hair grows under armpits of both girls and boys and at the lower end of the abdomen, around the reproductive organs, beard around the jaw.

IV. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS IN ADOLESCENT BOYS AND GIRLS

1. They try to gain independence from their parent
2. Become self-conscious and may bother about their appearance
3. Feeling of attraction to the opposite sex
4. Have emotional changes. They can be anxious moody or irritable
5. Could show concern about their future
6. Feel hungry easily. They are growing fast, they therefore need extra food.

B. MENSTRUATION

Menstruation is the monthly flow of blood from the womb, through the vagina in every woman of childbearing age. This period is called Menstrual Period. It takes place after about every 25-30 days. The number of days before the next period is called ‘Menstrual Cycle’. The menstrual period is different from one person to another.

I. MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

As the body sends out blood, it also sends out body odor. It should be noted that during the menstrual period, there is a high risk of infection.

II. MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRACTICES

The following are the hygiene practices to follow during menstruation:

1. Use very good and absorbent sanitary pads
2. Take frequent baths (at least twice a day)
3. Sanitary pad should be changed to prevent odor.
4. Some powder may be sprinkled on the inside of each thigh to reduce the chances of the place becoming sore
5. Always wash your hands after each change of pad
6. The soiled pad should be wrapped in paper or nylon before disposing in the waste bin

C. BODY ODOUR

When a teenager reaches puberty, there is an increase in body secretion. This can lead to a bad or strong odor in both boys and girls. ‘Body odor’ is an unpleasant smell that comes from the body most especially during rigorous exercise or after engaging in strenuous activities.

I. CAUSES OF BODY ODOUR

1. Failure to bath regularly
2. Poor hygiene during menstruation
3. Stale perspiration.
4. Using of body care products that smells badly i.e cream, soaps, perfume etc.
5. Wearing dirty clothes i.e under wears generally
6. Accumulation of dirty on the body.

II. PREVENTION OF BODY ODOUR

1. Frequent bathing is very important i.e during menstrual period or after a rigorous exercise
2. Changing your under wears every day.
3. If you sweat a lot , use a very good deodorant especially under your armpits.
4. Dress smartly, but seriously
5. Use cosmetics moderately
6. Use light perfume especially around pulse area
7. It should be used only on clean clothes and body to give a sweet smell

D. SPECIAL NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF ADOLESCENTS

1. Adjustment
2. Status
3. Independence
4. Need for achievement
5. Peer pressure
6. Physical needs
7. Needs for parental understanding and support.

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