Nagbibinata Na Ba? A Parent's Guide To Puberty For Males

Puberty for males represents a significant period of change for boys. As your son enters adolescence, he will experience several physical, emotional, and mental changes that may be overwhelming. Read about the stages of puberty, what to expect, and how you can best help him through this transition. 

Stages of Puberty

Puberty occurs when hormones trigger the body’s reproductive system to mature. For males, this hormone is testosterone. Boys begin puberty at a later stage than girls. Although the exact timing will depend on one boy to the next, typically puberty for males starts at the age of 9. 
 
“In general, boys enter puberty between 9–14 years old. You'll know your child has begun puberty when he experiences enlargement of his scrotum/testes, sometimes with some minimal changes/enlargement of his penis,” pediatrician and member of the Smart Parenting Board of Experts Dr. Joanna Cuayo-Estanislao says. 
 
The testicles and penis will continue to grow until age 17, which is the final stage of puberty for boys. 
“For boys, most reach this final stage of sexual maturity at around 17 years old, when their penis and testes are at adult size, and their pubic hair achieves an adult distribution, which spread towards the inner part of their thighs. It's also around this age when most kids would have achieved their peak height, although some may continue to still grow a bit taller for a few years after, up until their early 20s,” Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao adds. 

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Other Changes to Expect 

Apart from sexual maturation, other parts of the body will also grow at a rapid rate. The changes may seem like they happened overnight, but puberty for males happens over an extended period. Change can be scary, so talk to your son about the physical and emotional changes he will experience even before he enters puberty. 

Growth spurt

One of the most obvious signs of puberty for males is a growth spurt. Not only will your son grow taller, his hands, feet, chest, and shoulders will also increase in size. He might seem like he’s growing out of proportion and may even experience some clumsiness because of larger limbs, but this usually improves over time. 

The most important way you can support your preteen son during this transition is to keep communication lines open.

In addition to bone growth, boys will also experience an increase in muscle growth. Muscles will appear more defined, even if they don’t regularly lift weights or work out. 

Body hair

Near the end of puberty, body hair will begin to grow. First, small amounts of hair will grow under the arms and on the legs. Later, hair will grow darker and coarser. In addition to pubic hair, boys will also develop chest and facial hair. When his facial hair starts to thicken, teach your son the basics of shaving and other personal hygiene habits like showring regularly and using deodorant. 

Voice

Another sign of puberty for males is a change in voice. The larynx, also known as the Adam’s apple, grows bigger during this period. This may cause your preteen’s voice to “break” and sound squeaky. Over time, their voice will sound less like a boy’s and deeper like a man’s. 

Emotional changes 

Your preteen can experience a whole range of emotions when he hits puberty. At times, he may feel confused, fearful, irritable, or even sad about the changes he’s going through. And then there are the more uncomfortable emotions of heightened sexual desire that trigger more frequent erections and nocturnal emissions, also known as wet dreams. It’s a tricky time for both boys and parents, so remind them what they are experiencing is all part of their journey to manhood.  

How You Can Help 

The most important way you can support your preteen son during this transition is to keep communication lines open. At this stage, he will be less dependent on his parents and will prefer to spend time with his peers over his family. Try not to take this personally and encourage healthy and balanced relationships. 

Connect with your child. 

Your little mister may not always be as receptive to talking, especially if the topic is something that is slightly awkward, like puberty. Don’t wait for him to come to you. Instead, integrate puberty-related topics while going about your daily routine. Create a safe, non-judgmental environment by listening more than speaking. Ask open-ended questions instead of those that elicit yes or no answers to encourage them to process their thoughts as they go through them with you. 

Help him develop healthy habits. 

Most people think of teenage boys drinking out of the milk carton and consuming the daily food intake of an entire basketball team. There is some truth to this narrative because as his body is growing at a rapid rate, so do his health requirements. Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao says that “Boys require an average of 2,800 calories per day. Most nutritionists recommend that complex carbohydrates make up 50% to 60% of a teenager's caloric intake, fats 30%, while the rest should be intake of protein.” 

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Apart from making sure your preteen eats a balanced diet, Dr. Cuayo-Estanislao mentions other habits that ensure healthy physical and mental development. “Other healthy lifestyle habits include limiting screen time, eating at least 4 servings of fruits, 5 servings of vegetables, and 4 servings of dairy products a day, limiting consumption of junk food, fast food, and sodas, getting at least 60+ minutes of physical activity on most days of the week, with muscle/bone strengthening activities 3 days a week, and getting 9-10 hours of sleep every night,” she adds. 
 
Like the buzzcut your husband is trying to grow out, the weird phase in between is inevitable. Though there’s no avoiding it, puberty for males doesn’t always have to be awkward for you and your son. Educate him beforehand and use this time to connect with your growing boy. Soon, you’ll wish you could turn the hands of time as he grows into the fully capable and independent man he’s meant to be. 

Want to know how to raise your son to be a good man? Read this story.