Teenagers go through puberty earlier - but they are not more grown up

Periods and ejaculation mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. Biologically speaking, this point occurs earlier and earlier. On average, young women have their first period at the age of 13. A hundred years ago, this figure was 17. The picture is the same for boys: sperm production begins between 12.5 and 16.5 years of age. «If you were to put a photo of a group of 16-year-old men from a hundred years ago next to one from today, you would be able to recognise clear differences,» explains Moritz Daum, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Zurich, in Schweiz am Sonntag. For example, beard growth and height are significantly more developed than in the past. However, earlier physical maturity does not automatically entail an earlier mental maturation process. «We mature earlier, but grow up later,» says Marlis Buchmann, professor of sociology at the University of Zurich, in the same newspaper.

Intellectual maturity comes later, but in a more differentiated way

Children and young people today have more knowledge and better developed or completely different problem-solving strategies than in previous generations, writes Schweiz am Sonntag. According to Buchmann, this has to do with the expansion of the education system, which has led to an extension of the youth phase. Should young people therefore be allowed to drive or vote at an earlier age? This should be handled flexibly, say experts. 16-year-olds are perfectly capable of taking part in elections and voting, says Buchmann. When it comes to driving, caution is advised, as adolescents are more willing to take risks than adults.

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Picture: Screenshot "Girls"/HBO