Final answer:
Puberty entails different growth patterns for boys and girls, with girls experiencing an earlier growth spurt, resulting in a shorter period of growth. In contrast, boys' growth spurt starts later and lasts longer, leading to greater eventual height. Sexual development, body composition, and psychosocial impacts also exhibit gender-specific trends during this period.
Step-by-step explanation:
During puberty, several differences in growth patterns between boys and girls become apparent. Initially, boys and girls are close to the same height during childhood, but this changes significantly with the onset of puberty. One key difference is the timing and duration of the adolescent growth spurt (AGS); girls typically start their growth spurt earlier than boys, often resulting in girls initially being taller. However, because girls have a shorter growth phase and a lower peak height velocity, by adulthood they are, on average, around 10 centimeters shorter than males.
In terms of sexual development, girls generally begin puberty earlier, at around 10 years old, developing secondary sexual characteristics such as breasts and pubic hair, and experience menstruation. Boys generally begin puberty around the ages of 11 to 12 with the development of external genitals, pubic hair, and a significant increase in muscle and bone growth, particularly in the upper body.
The differences in growth can have social and emotional impacts as well. Early maturing boys often experience more popularity and confidence, while early maturing girls might feel self-conscious about their development. Conversely, late bloomers, especially boys, may encounter negative feelings about their lack of physical development.