The Basics

The problem with puberty is that it effects everyone at a different rate. This is not like a butterfly or frog where all of them advance at the same rate. Remember that as we go through this; this is a general guide, so be aware that not everyone is at the same stage, that different boys will go through different stages faster or slower than others, and that there is nothing to embarrassed about. Yes, some boys will inevitably turn it into a competition, but it really isn't. I know it's going to be hard to do, but try anyway.

The quicky version is that your body is being flooded with testosterone. This means that your body is going to see a number of physical changes, some of which will horrify you and some of which will make you happy. Let's just say that by the time the majority of changes are through, you will hardly remember yourself. At the same time, you are also undergoing some mental changes as well; on one hand they exaggerating your normal characteristics, but they are allowing you to look at the world differently, and usually in a good way.

Adding to this mess is the social component. While you are dealing with all of these mental and physical changes, you are also shifting from learning mode to doing mode; your body is making you a part of society whether you want to be one or not. Although you will always be learning things, you will now actually be able to take a meaningful part in society, and actually have a voice in what happens to not only you but those around you. This means that, while your mind and body are in a chaotic mess, your decisions now have import. Yeah; you now have the power to mess up your life on a level you've never had before.

So....there you have it. The basics. You should be running for the hills, as any one of these areas is enough to make a kid scared. Let's explore these a bit, shall we?