Final answer:
Bobby is likely to have smaller social circles due to the emotional challenges associated with late puberty. He may also be shorter in height during the period of delayed puberty, as the adolescent growth spurt for boys typically occurs toward the end of the puberty stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bobby, who does not go through puberty until age 16, is likely to experience different developmental and social outcomes compared to other boys his age. Puberty is when the reproductive organs mature and boys become sexually mature, which usually begins around age 12 in the U.S., and completes by about age 18.
Compared to his peers, Bobby is likely to have smaller social circles because late puberty can be more emotionally challenging, potentially causing feelings of physical inferiority, poor body image, and low self-esteem. As a result, late maturing boys may encounter challenges like being bullied, feeling self-conscious, and developing negative feelings, particularly around their physical development.
While Bobby might eventually catch up in physical development, during the period of delayed puberty, he may be shorter in height than his peers, as the adolescent growth spurt in boys typically occurs toward the end of puberty. It is also possible for late-maturing individuals to experience a more rapid physical development once puberty begins, but this does not necessarily compensate for the delay in start time.