Experts have revised the age range that defines adolescence

Physiological resources Endocrine system

Experts have revised the age range that defines adolescence

Now it lasts from 10 to 24 years. Previously, the threshold was 19 years, BBC reports. The framework shifted for several reasons. Now young people study longer, marry later and have children. In general, experts say that there is a trend towards infantilisation of young people.

Biologically, puberty begins when the hypothalamus begins to secrete a hormone that activates the pituitary gland and the body’s sex glands. This used to happen before the age of 14, but with medical advances and improved nutrition, the age has shifted to 10 in many developed countries. As a result, for example, in Britain, the first menstruation in 50 per cent of cases starts by the age of 12-13. That’s four years earlier than it was 150 years ago. Meanwhile, it is known that the brain continues to mature beyond the age of 20 (it starts working faster and more efficiently). And many people’s wisdom teeth don’t come out until they are 35. Statistics speak in favour of shifting age ranges. On average, modern people leave their parents’ home at about age 25. And the average age of marriage for men was 32.5 years in 2013. For women, it was 30.6 years. Compared to 1973, that’s almost eight years later.

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Published

July, 2024

Duration of reading

About 1-2 minutes

Experts have revised the age range that defines adolescence

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