Chapter 6

The journey of a plant generally begins with the germination of a seed. With proper nourishment, the seed becomes a sapling and matures into a young plant. This journey is marked by some specific changes. Some of the visible changes are an increase in its height, the appearance of more leaves, and the development of flowers, fruits, and new seeds. From these seeds, new plants emerge. It is quite unlikely that a seedling will develop the capabilities to produce its own seeds immediately after germination. It needs to grow and reach maturity to become capable of producing seeds. Similarly, animals also need to grow and reach maturity before they can reproduce. Some animals lay eggs that hatch into young ones, while others, like humans, directly give birth to young ones. In both cases, the young ones gradually grow in size and develop over time. The journey of life of a human can be divided into different stages—infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Each person experiences these stages at their own pace, and the duration of each stage may vary from one individual to another. From infancy to adulthood, our bodies undergo various changes. Until around 10–12 years of age, most changes are related to height and weight. After this, other noticeable changes begin to occur, marking the onset of adolescence. This is a period of rapid growth and development, typically occurring between the ages of 10–19. During adolescence, the body prepares for adulthood. Humans, like most other living beings, can not reproduce immediately after their birth. Their bodies need to grow and reach a stage of maturity to be able to reproduce. As humans grow and develop, they experience significant physical, emotional, and behavioural changes, along with the ability to reproduce. Some of these changes may be quite clearly observable, while others occur internally and may go unnoticed. In this chapter, you will explore adolescence, understand its importance, and learn how to handle it with a sense of responsibility.

6.1 Growing With Age: The Teenage Years

During the summer vacation, Venkatesh visited his grandparents. As he entered the house, his 12-year-old cousin, Devyani came running to greet him.

Venkatesh, you have a thin moustache now!!

Your voice has also changed!

You have become so tall, Devyani!

Let us try to understand this interesting conversation between Venkatesh and Devyani.

Activity 6.1: Let us discuss

• Take a jar and some paper slips.
• Write down the changes you can notice among students as they go from Grades 5 to 8. These could be related to height, strength, behaviour, or any other aspect. Please avoid writing names on the slips.
• Fold the slips and place them in the jar.
• Mix all the slips received from the students in the class and unfold the collected slips one by one. Based on the information on the slips, discuss the changes with the students in the class.

What were the most commonly observable changes among students, as mentioned on the slips? List these in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1: Most common changes during growing up

S.No.	Changes	Your observations
1.	Height
2.	Weight and strength
3.	Appearance
4.	...

Have you also experienced some of these changes? If yes, then it is because you are also reaching this stage gradually. This stage starts around 10 years of age and can continue up to the age of 19. It is usually a stage of development between childhood and adulthood, and is called adolescence. While analysing Table 6.1, you might have noticed the following: Now, we have understood some of the changes that take place during adolescence, particularly those that are easily observable. Some of these characteristic changes, like change in voice, the growth of facial and chest hair in boys, and the development of breasts in girls are not directly involved in the process of reproduction. However, these characteristic changes help distinguish males from females. For this reason, they are called secondary sexual characteristics. Secondary sexual characteristics are natural signs that the body is preparing for adulthood. They mark the onset of puberty. Puberty is the stage in which the body of an adolescent undergoes external and internal changes to develop into an adult capable of reproduction.

6.2 Changes that Indicate Reproductive Capability

Adolescence is marked not only by observable changes but also by internal changes that are not visible from the outside. One such change is the maturation of various parts involved in the process of reproduction. Both boys and girls experience such changes gradually, and these changes are a natural part of the process of growing up. An important internal change associated with adolescent girls is the onset of the menstrual cycle. It recurs generally every 28–30 days and is more commonly known as ‘the period’. Many healthy girls may have longer or shorter menstrual cycles ranging from 21–35 days. The menstrual cycle is an important natural process and is one of the signs of good reproductive health. The phase of the cycle when blood discharge occurs from the body is referred to as menstruation. It may last for three to seven days. Some girls may feel pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen during these days. Usually, by the age of 45–55, menstruation stops naturally, marking the end of the reproductive capability in a woman’s life. Adolescence is not just about physical changes or changes associated with reproductive capability but also about emotional and behavioural changes. Let us discuss them!

6.3 Emotional and Behavioural Changes in Adolescents

Activity 6.2: Let us list

Take a moment to think if there are any changes in your emotions or behaviour or that of your classmates and friends in the past one or two years. These changes may be exciting, confusing, or both. Let us list some emotional changes in Table 6.2 along with their probable effects on behaviour and ways for positive growth and development.

Table 6.2: Emotional changes, their probable effects on behaviour, and ways for positive growth and development

Key emotional changes	Probable effects on behaviour	Ways for positive growth and development
Mood swings	Engage in varied activities like music, dance, or sports	Self-exploration and involvement in activities that may lead to creativity and innovation
Strong emotions	Increased sensitivity	Compassion, involvement in social work
Any other

While discussing Table 6.2, you may have explored the diverse behavioural changes in adolescents. This is because adolescence is often marked by stronger emotions than childhood. These emotions might affect adolescents’ behaviour like taking up/joining social initiatives to support the needy and the disadvantaged, or developing deeper interest in new areas. Understanding how our emotions influence our behaviour and actions, can help us make better choices and respond to situations thoughtfully.

6.4 Making Adolescence a Joyful Experience

The journey of adolescence is a unique experience. Heightened curiosity and excitement during this stage of life give adolescents a new viewpoint towards almost everything around them. Good habits, thoughtful decisions, and small actions can have a powerful positive impact on the overall well-being of adolescents. Let us know about them!

6.4.1 Meeting nutritional needs

In Grade 6 chapter ‘Mindful Eating: A Path to a Healthy Body’, you learnt about the need for a healthy diet. Since adolescence is a period of growth and development marked by several changes in the body, a nutritious diet is of utmost importance.

For proper growth, and to perform well on the playground, we need proteins and carbohydrates!

Not only that, we also need an adequate amount of fats, vitamins, and minerals as well!

Activity 6.3: Let us list

Based on the locally available foods, fill Table 6.3 with the healthy food sources, nutrients present in them and how these nutrients can help our growth and development.

Table 6.3: Food sources, nutrients present in them, and functions of these nutrients

Food sources	Nutrients we get from them	Functions of these nutrients
Milk, millets, curd, cheese, and paneer	Calcium, proteins, fats ___________	To help optimal bone growth ___________
___________	Proteins ___________	To help proper growth, gain strength, and improve levels of energy ___________
Spinach, kidney beans, and dried fruits like raisins, and figs	Iron ___________	To help in the formation of blood

6.4.2 Personal hygiene

Besides nutrition, personal hygiene is also crucially important during adolescence. Maintaining body hygiene, particularly in the armpits and the pubic region, may protect us from potential infections. For girls, maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation is essential for both comfort and health. Menstrual hygiene can be maintained using items such as sanitary pads (Fig. 6.1) and reusable cloth pads designed for this purpose.

Fig. 6.1: Sanitary pad

The government also attempts to provide these products free of charge or at a low price to improve the menstrual hygiene of girls and women. As a society, we should all make efforts to ensure the availability of necessary facilities in schools and public places to promote menstrual hygiene. Collectively, we should move forward, reducing any stigma around sanitary pads and helping in menstrual hygiene. It is important to dispose of used sanitary pads properly by wrapping them in newspaper and disposing inside a dustbin. This is to ensure community health and environmental cleanliness. These days, biodegradable sanitary pads are also available that are environment-friendly.

6.4.3 Physical activities

Regular exercise and physical activities are also very important during adolescence. Do you exercise regularly or participate in games and sports? What kinds of exercises do you do? These activities will keep your body and mind fit and healthy, build up your stamina and boost your mood (Fig. 6.2).

Fig. 6.2: Physical activities for fitness

6.4.4 Balanced social life

We all live in a society and interact with each other in our day-to-day life. We should all be polite and respectful towards each other (Fig. 6.3). This helps create a favourable and safe environment. Since adolescence is a stage of life marked by new experiences and emotions, we must be thoughtful and responsible while interacting with others — whether in person or through social media. This is the time adolescents may feel attracted to their peers, and mimic their behaviour. Today, they often interact with each other online.

Fig. 6.3: Collaborative learning in action

Modern technologies have made online platforms available for all to obtain information, make connections, interact, and share information with each other. We should use these platforms responsibly for the collective well-being of all. Sometimes, we, knowingly or unknowingly, use social media platforms carelessly. Seeking guidance from elders and teachers can help use these platforms positively.

Activity 6.4: Let us spread awareness

Work in groups to design posters and pamphlets about various aspects of responsible social media behaviour and paste them at designated places in the school. Also, fill in Table 6.4 based on your collective observations.

Table 6.4: Dos and don’ts to be followed on social media

Dos	Don’ts
Be respectful and kind.	Do not share personal photos with strangers/ virtual friends.
Think before posting.	___________
Protect privacy	___________

6.4.5 Avoiding harmful substances — learn to say NO

Some people, including your peers, may tempt, persuade, force or, create pressure on you to consume harmful substances such as tobacco, gutka, cigarettes, beedi, alcohol, or even life threatening illegal drugs. Since adolescence is marked by curiosity and excitement, adolescents might get influenced by such people and try these substances. These substances are not just harmful to physical and mental health but are also addictive. This means that once people start consuming them, they develop a strong urge to take them again and again. Over time, they start using them regularly. This is called substance abuse.

Fig. 6.5: Condition of the lungs before and after prolonged exposure to bidi/cigarette smoke

Using these substances can cause serious health problems, such as breathing difficulties, memory loss, and damage to the lungs (Fig. 6.5), depending on the substance. To stay healthy, it is important to completely avoid these substances and make healthy choices instead. It is important to remain firm and confident in your decision to say ‘NO’. The first step to overcoming addiction is seeking help and support from family and friends, and talking to trusted people, such as parents or teachers. Counselling and medical advice can also be helpful in handling such situations. Remember, your health and your future are in your hands — choose wisely!

6.5 The ‘Why’ Question for Adolescence

We now understand the different changes in adolescence and also know some ways to handle it with a sense of responsibility.

But I wonder why these changes occur at this stage of life!

Many changes in adolescence, including menstruation and other signs of puberty, are mainly due to hormones — certain chemicals produced in our bodies. Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various aspects of growth and development, contributing to the proper functioning of the body. They are produced in different parts of the body and are released at an appropriate time in response to signals from the brain. Some hormones influence mood and behaviour. By staying informed, seeking support and guidance when needed, and making healthy decisions, you can build a strong foundation for your life ahead.

In a Nutshell

• Adolescence is the period of change from childhood to adulthood. It generally begins around the age of 10 years and usually lasts until 19 years.
• Adolescence is marked by significant and characteristic physical, biological, and emotional changes.
• Features that help to distinguish the male from the female but are not directly involved in reproduction are called secondary sexual characteristics.
• Puberty is the stage in which the body of a child undergoes observable and internal changes to develop into an adult capable of reproduction.
• Adolescence in girls is also marked by start of the menstrual cycle, during which there is a discharge of blood generally after every 28–30 days, a process called menstruation. Menstruation begins at puberty and generally ends by the age of 45–55 years.
• Adolescents face several emotional and behavioural changes.
• Eating a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining good personal hygiene, and participating in physical activities help adolescents to stay healthy.
• Addictive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, have adverse effects on the body and mind. It is wise to say ‘NO’ to these substances and stay away from them.
• Changes that take place in the body during adolescence are primarily controlled by certain chemicals produced in the body. These chemicals are called hormones.
• Proper guidance and awareness help adolescents manage physical, emotional, and behavioural changes effectively.

Let Us Enhance Our Learning

1. Ramesh, an 11-year-old boy, developed a few pimples on his face. His mother told him that this is because of ongoing biological changes in his body.
(i) What could be the possible reasons for the development of these pimples on his face?
(ii) What can he do to get some relief from these pimples? 2. Which of the following food groups would be a better option for adolescents and why?

(i)

(ii)

3. Unscramble the underlined word in the following sentences:
(i) The discharge of blood in adolescent girls which generally occurs every 28–30 days is nstmnoiaretu.
(ii) The hoarseness in the voice of adolescent boys is due to enlarged iceov xob.
(iii) Secondary sexual characteristics are natural signs that the body is preparing for adulthood and mark the onset of urtypeb.
(iv) We should say NO to lahoclo and srugd as they are addictive. 4. Shalu told her friend, “Adolescence brings only physical changes, like growing taller or developing body hair.” Is she correct? What would you change in this description of adolescence? 5. During a discussion in the class, some of the students raised the following points. What questions would you ask them to check the correctness of these points?
(i) Adolescents do not need to worry about behavioural changes.
(ii) If someone tries a harmful substance once, they can stop anytime they want. 6. Adolescents sometimes experience mood swings. On some days, they feel very energetic and happy, while on other days, they may feel low. What other behavioural changes are associated with this age?

7. While using a toilet, Mohini noticed that used sanitary pads were scattered near the bin. She got upset and shared her feelings with her friends. They discussed the importance of menstrualhygiene and healthy sanitary habits. What menstrual hygiene and sanitary habits would you suggest to your friends? 8. Mary and Manoj were classmates and good friends. On turning 11, Mary developed a little bulge on the front of her neck. She visited the doctor who gave her medication and asked to take iodine-rich diet. Similarly, a bump was developed on the front of Manoj’s neck when he turned 12. However, the doctor told him that it was a part of growing up. According to you, what could be the possible reason for advising Mary and Manoj differently?

9. During adolescence, the boys and girls undergo certain physical changes, a few of which are given below.
(i) Change in voice
(ii) Development of breasts
(iii) Growth of moustache
(iv) Growth of facial hair
(v) Pimples on the face
(vi) Growth of hair in the pubic region
(vii) Growth of hair in armpits Categorise these changes in the table given below:

Physical changes during adolescence
Observed only in boys	Observed only in girls	Common in boys and girls

10. Prepare a poster mentioning the tips for adolescents to live a healthy lifestyle.

Exploratory Projects

• Find out about some personalities and organisations working in your locality to improve mental health of youth. Interview them. List at least five questions that you will ask in the interviews.
• Perform a role play on the theme ‘Child marriage: A social evil’, highlighting how it negatively impacts the overall well-being of children, particularly the health of young girls.
• 21 June is celebrated as International Yoga Day. Organise a small camp with the help of your teachers and practise some asanas.