The rudeness is due to emotions which your teenager cannot process well. — Photos: Pexels
In part, yes.
At the beginning of puberty, your brain hypothalamus releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
This GnRH then latches onto your pituitary gland receptors, and urges it to produce two hormones – the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) into your bloodstream.
FSH and LH are low when you are a child.
If you are a female at puberty, FSH and LH will trigger your ovaries to produce oestrogen, which will be enable you to begin menstruation and develop breasts.
Body hair will also grow in the pubic area and under your arms. You may get acne.
If you are a male at puberty, FSH and LH will trigger your testes to produce testosterone.
This will be responsible for you to start growing body hair (like a beard and pubic hair), produce sperm and deepen your voice.
Acne may also be common.
These hormones also make you put on weight and muscle mass and help you grow tall.
In addition, both boys and girls produce hormones called androgens, although boys produce a higher level of androgens.
It takes a few years, actually.
Puberty has five stages:
> Stage 1: Starts around ages seven to eight in females and nine to 10 in males.
This is the start of sex hormones production.
There are very few noticeable physical changes at this point.
> Stage 2: Starts between ages nine and 11 in females and around ages 11 in males. Now you can see some physical changes.
> Stage 3: This one starts after age 12 in females and age 13 in males.
There are growth spurts now and physical development becomes more obvious.
Periods can sometimes happen in females at this stage.
> Stage 4: At ages 13 in females and 14 in males, puberty is at its most intense.
The male voices become permanently deeper and females get their first period.
> Stage 5: This one starts around age 15 in both sexes. This is the final stage of puberty, leading you to your full height.
The rudeness, if present, is due to emotions which your teenager cannot process well.
These newly experienced hormones affect your teenager’s emotions and impulses as well as giving physical changes.
The mood swings that teens experience are caused by the different fluctuations in oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Suddenly, teenagers find themselves interested in the opposite sex.
They find themselves interested in dating and having sex, sometimes to the point of obsession.
Teen hormones, especially oestrogen, can also increase the risk of depression.
But all these emotional changes are not just due to hormones.
Tip for parents: Don’t manage rudeness by being rude to your child!
There are several other environmental reasons.
Teenagers have a lot of things to juggle.
Their school schedule and educational expectations have suddenly intensified.
Sometimes teenagers have tuition and many other extra-curricular activities.
The sudden increase in competition work burden compared to childhood can be very stressful.
Coupled with this are their friendships and relationships.
They feel they don’t measure up to standards in academics, sports, popularity, beauty and whatever yardsticks people use to measure them.
All this stress accumulates and the teenager can come across as rude because they are angry at everyone and society.
Teenagers are still developing kids, and lack maturity and understanding of how they affect other people.
They do not realise that their rude behaviour may be perceived as lack of care towards the other person, especially a family member.
When they are rude to you, their mother or father, they are thinking of themselves – and not of you, because their empathy is not developed yet.
During puberty, teenagers are more self-centered and lacking in empathy.
Yes, they really, really do not think about what you are feeling because they are thinking too much about themselves and what they are going through in a “me, me, me” phase.
So it’s not about you. It is a phase.
You need to understand the basis of this rude behaviour, and manage it.
Never just accept and do nothing about it.
Stay calm and composed.
After all, you are the adult!
Don’t manage rudeness with your own rudeness!
Count till 10 if you feel angry, before you retort.
You can be stern, but do not retaliate with emotional or physical violence.
Have a healthy conversation by sharing your feelings.
Teens are not always angry at every hour of the day.
Politely share with them the consequences of their rude behaviour. (E.g. if they continue to hurt your feelings, you are going to ground them, or the school may give them a bad report card.)
Teens also face a lot of bullying that they may not want to tell you about, so be on the lookout for it.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email starhealth@ thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
