In general, what is the psychological impact of the onset of puberty for boys and girls? How does the timing of puberty (early or late maturation) affect boys and girls?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In general, the onset of puberty is a source of tension for adolescents as they mature physically and sexually long before they are ready to support themselves financially and far ahead of psychological maturity and independence. Additionally, the steep rise in hormones during puberty may increase the risk for psychological problems such as depression and aggression.
The implications of early or late onset of puberty vary based on gender. For girls, early onset of puberty can be disadvantageous and even dangerous. Early maturing girls are more at risk for suicide attempts, problems at school, alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other serious problems. One of the major concerns is that girls who are "early developers" tend to hang out with older cliques and crowds, which puts them at risk for other problems. Another concern is that girls who develop early are likely to experience more psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. In terms of later health problems, girls who experience puberty at a very young age are most at risk for breast cancer later in life. In contrast, girls who develop late do not seem to be at a disadvantage compared to their peers, though they may worry that something is wrong with them.
Boys who mature early tend to be more popular with their peers and have higher levels of self-esteem compared to "late bloomers." Similar to girls, boys who develop early are likely to have more delinquent behavior and are more at risk for alcohol and cigarette use. Boys who mature early are more likely to socialize with an older peer group, which can lead to trouble. Boys who mature later may have lower self-esteem during adolescence, but they mature into adults who are more creative, tolerant, and perceptive.