The physical attributes differ significantly between males and females during the pubertal process, with no single, sudden event being accountable for such differences. That is, puberty entails a process that slowly unfolds beginning with conception through adulthood; thus, the onset and termination of this process is difficult to delineate. For this reason, there is difficulty in delineating the pubertal sequence, with individual variation being common. Moreover, there are age differences for the average male and female pubertal. Note that the pubertal sequence may begin at age 10 or as late as age 14 for males, with accelerated growth in the testicles (Petersen, 1979) and/or pubic hair (Tanner, 1970); while it may be at age 10 or as late as age 15.5 for females, with breast development (Tanner, 1970) and/or menstruation (Petersen, 1979) being noted. Puberty, which is different from adolescence, is generally said to end before the end of adolescence, but is typically noted as being the marker of adolescence. In general, puberty is said to coincide with early, rather than late, adolescence. Puberty as a process is considered to be a period of rapid change to physical maturation, with sexual maturation being one of the most prominent aspects of this process (Lerner & Karabenick, 1974, p. 307-308). There are also, however, rapid and dramatic changes in height, weight, pubic and other hair growth, the depth of voice, and reproductive organ functions, all of which are attributed to growth-related and sex-related hormonal production and interaction (Lerner & Karabenick, 1974; Petersen, 1979; Ruble & Brooks-Gunn, 1982).
The endocrine system, which is responsible for many of the hormonal changes undergone by male and female pubertals during the pubertal period, is highly complex. This system consists of glands and their secretions (i.e., hormones) that are carried through the bloodstream. These hormones, which are powerful chem...