Question

Girls and (less consistently) boys with a history of family conflict tend to reach puberty ________, whereas those with warm, stable family ties tend to reach puberty ________?

1) relatively late; early
2) on target; late
3) around the same age as their mothers; earlier than their mothers
4) early; relatively late

Answer 1

Girls and boys with a history of family conflict tend to reach puberty early, whereas those with warm family ties reach puberty relatively late, making the correct answer option 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

Girls and (less consistently) boys with a history of family conflict tend to reach puberty early, whereas those with warm, stable family ties tend to reach puberty relatively late. This implies that the correct answer to the student's question would be option 4) early; or relatively late. Family dynamics and the level of parental warmth and stability are influential factors in the timing of puberty onset. Notably, early puberty can be associated with psychosocial challenges, such as poor body image, low self-esteem, and a higher risk for certain unhealthy behaviors like substance abuse. Conversely, late-developing adolescents may experience feelings of inferiority and self-consciousness about their physical development compared to their peers.