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125-490: A man is an adult male human . Before adulthood, a male human is referred to as a boy (a male child or adolescent ). Like most other male mammals , a man's genome usually inherits an X chromosome from the mother and a Y chromosome from the father. Sex differentiation of the male fetus is governed by the SRY gene on the Y chromosome. During puberty, hormones which stimulate androgen production result in

250-423: A child if they are under the legal age of majority. Conversely, one may legally be an adult but possess none of the maturity and responsibility that may define an adult character. In different cultures, there are events that relate passing from being a child to becoming an adult or coming of age . This often encompasses passing a series of tests to demonstrate that a person is prepared for adulthood, or reaching

375-746: A gender binary in which man is one of the two genders, the other being woman . Most men are cisgender , and their gender identity aligns with their male sex assignment at birth. Trans men have a male gender identity that does not align with their female sex assignment at birth, and may undergo masculinizing hormone replacement therapy and/or sex reassignment surgery . Intersex men may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of male biology. A 2016 systemic review estimated that 0.256% of people self-identify as female-to-male transgender. A 2017 survey of 80,929 Minnesota students found that roughly twice as many female-assigned adolescents self-identified as transgender, compared to adolescents with

500-638: A gender identity that does not align with their female sex assignment at birth, while intersex men may have sex characteristics that do not fit typical notions of male biology. The English term "man" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *man- (see Sanskrit / Avestan manu- , Slavic mǫž "man, male"). More directly, the word derives from Old English mann . The Old English form primarily meant "person" or "human being" and referred to men, women, and children alike. The Old English word for "man" as distinct from " woman " or "child"

625-407: A 'full' adult quite yet. Next, the instability feature notes that emerging adults often move around after their high school years whether that is to college, friends' houses, or living with a romantic partner, as well as moving back home with their parents/guardians for a time. This moving around often ends once the individual's family and career have been set. Tagging along with the instability feature

750-399: A binding contract, or marry without permission from parents. After the voting age was lowered, many states also moved to lower the drinking age (with most states having a minimum age of 18 or 19) and also to lower the age of legal majority (adulthood) to 18. However, there are legal activities where 18 is not the default age of adulthood. There are still some exceptions where 21 (or even higher)

875-406: A classroom or living room. During puberty, if not before, the tip and opening of a male's foreskin becomes wider, progressively allowing for retraction down the shaft of the penis and behind the glans , which ultimately should be possible without pain or difficulty. The membrane that bonds the inner surface of the foreskin with the glans disintegrates and releases the foreskin to separate from

1000-404: A definition for the two-word term biological adult , the first definition of adult in multiple dictionaries includes "the stage of the life cycle of an animal after reproductive capacity has been attained". Thus, the base definition of the word adult is the period beginning at physical sexual maturity, which occurs sometime after the onset of puberty. Although this is the primary definition of

1125-465: A delay in the onset of puberty past the age 14 in females and 15 in males is Kallmann syndrome , a form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). Kallmann syndrome is also associated with a lack of sense of smell ( anosmia ). Kallmann syndrome and other forms of HH affect both men and women. It is caused by a failure in HPG axis at puberty which results in low or zero gonadotropin ( LH and FSH ) levels with

1250-676: A good chance of turning out better than their parents did. According to Jewish tradition, adulthood is reached at age 13 for Jewish boys and 12 for Jewish girls in accordance with the Bar or Bat Mitzvah ; they are expected to demonstrate preparation for adulthood by learning the Torah and other Jewish practices. The Christian Bible and Jewish scripture contain no age requirement for adulthood or marrying , which includes engaging in sexual activity. The 1983 Code of Canon Law states, "A man before he has completed his sixteenth year of age, and likewise

1375-489: A majority of on the job deaths. Further, medical doctors provide men with less service, less advice, and spend less time with men than they do with women per medical encounter. Male sexuality and attraction varies between individuals, and a man's sexual behavior can be affected by many factors, including evolved predispositions , personality , upbringing , and culture . While most men are heterosexual , significant minorities are homosexual or bisexual . Most cultures use

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1500-542: A male reaches his teenage years, erections occur much more frequently due to puberty. Erections can occur spontaneously at any time of day, and if clothed may cause a bulge or "hump". This can be disguised or hidden by wearing close-fitting underwear, a long shirt and baggier clothes. Erections are common for male prepubescent children and infants, and can even occur before birth. Spontaneous erections, also known as involuntary or unwanted erections, are normal. Such erections can be embarrassing if they happen in public, such as

1625-415: A male sex assignment. Masculinity (also sometimes called manhood or manliness ) is the set of personality traits and attributes associated with boys and men. Although masculinity is socially constructed , some research indicates that some behaviors considered masculine are biologically influenced. To what extent masculinity is biologically or socially influenced is subject to debate. It is distinct from

1750-440: A male's first ejaculation occurs at age 13. Ejaculation sometimes occurs during sleep; this phenomenon is known as a nocturnal emission . In males, testicular enlargement is the first physical manifestation of puberty (and is termed gonadarche ). Testes in prepubertal males change little in size from about 1 year of age to the onset of puberty, averaging about 2–3 cm in length and about 1.5–2 cm in width. The size of

1875-441: A man's wardrobe include shirts, trousers, suits, and jackets, which are designed to provide both comfort and style while prioritizing functionality. Men's fashion also encompasses more casual garments such as t-shirts , sweatshirts , jeans , shorts , and swimwear , which are typically intended for informal settings. Cultural and regional traditions often influence men's fashion, resulting in diverse styles and garments that reflect

2000-406: A model or actor in pornography , running for president , etc. Admission of a young person to a place may be restricted because of danger for that person, concern that the place may lead the person to immoral behavior, or because of the risk that the young person causes damage (for example, at an exhibition of fragile items). One can distinguish the legality of acts of a young person, or of enabling

2125-438: A more developed body may also result in the refusal to undress for gym. These experiences lead to lower self-esteem, more depression and poorer body image in these early-maturing females. Furthermore, as physical and emotional differences set them apart from people in their same age group, early-maturing females develop relationships with older people. For instance, some early-maturing females have older malefriends, "attracted to

2250-479: A narrower pelvis and hips , and smaller breasts and nipples . Throughout human history , traditional gender roles have often defined men's activities and opportunities. Men often face conscription into military service or are directed into professions with high mortality rates . Many religious doctrines stipulate certain rules for men, such as religious circumcision . Men are over-represented as both perpetrators and victims of violence . Trans men have

2375-430: A part in the onset of puberty. Girls will go through a growth spurt and gain weight in several areas of their body. Boys will go through similar spurts in growth, though it is usually not in a similar style or time frame. This is due to the natural processes of puberty, but genetics also plays a part in how much weight they gain or how much taller they get. One recent area of debate within the science of brain development

2500-720: A proactive role, initiate the relationship, plan dates, and propose marriage. Anthropology has shown that masculinity itself has social status , just like wealth, race and social class. In Western culture , for example, greater masculinity usually brings greater social status. Many English words such as virtue and virile (from the Indo-European root vir meaning man ) reflect this. In most cultures, male privilege allows men more rights and privileges than women. In societies where men are not given special legal privileges, they typically hold more positions of power, and men are seen as being taken more seriously in society. This

2625-542: A result, particular populations feel adult earlier in the life course than do others. Contemporary experiences of and research on young adults today substitute more seemingly subjective criteria for adulthood which resonate more soundly with young adults' experiences of aging. The criteria are marked by a growing "importance of individualistic criteria and the irrelevance of the demographic markers of normative conceptions of adulthood." In particular, younger cohorts' attainment of adulthood centers on three criteria: gaining

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2750-868: A sense of responsibility, independent decision-making, and financial independence. Jeffrey Arnett, a psychologist and professor at Clark University in Massachusetts, studied the development of adults and argues that there is a new and distinct period of development in between adolescence and adulthood. This stage, which he calls "emerging adulthood", occurs between the ages of 18 and 25. Arnett describes these individuals as able to take some responsibility for their lives, but still not completely feeling like an adult. Arnett articulates five distinct features that are unique to this period of development: identity exploration, feeling in between, instability, self-focus, and having possibilities. Arnett makes it clear that these 5 aspects of emerging adulthood are only relevant during

2875-400: A skin condition that is characteristic of puberty. Acne varies greatly in its severity. Testosterone will cause an enlargement of the clitoris and possibly has important effects on the growth and maturation of the vestibular bulbs , corpora cavernosa of the clitoris and urethral sponge . Changes of the vulva initiated by estradiol as well as its direct effects also appear to influence

3000-458: A social construction is illustrated by the changing criteria of adulthood over time. Historically, adulthood in the U.S. has rested on completing one's education, moving away from the family of origin, and beginning one's career. Other key historical criteria include entering a marriage and becoming a parent. These criteria are social and subjective; they are organized by gender, race, ethnicity, and social class, among other key identity markers. As

3125-429: A specified age, sometimes in conjunction with demonstrating preparation. Most modern societies determine legal adulthood based on reaching a legally specified age without requiring a demonstration of physical maturity or preparation for adulthood. Historically and cross-culturally, adulthood has been determined primarily by the start of puberty (the appearance of secondary sex characteristics such as menstruation and

3250-453: A uniform standard for legally purchasing, drinking, or publicly possessing alcohol with exceptions made for consumption only in private residences under parental supervision and permission. This was done in response to reducing the number of drunk driving fatalities prevalent among young drivers. States that choose not to comply can lose up to 10% of highway funding. The Credit Card Act of 2009 imposed tougher safeguards for young adults between

3375-852: A woman before she has completed her fourteenth year of age, cannot enter a valid marriage". According to The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman , the Christian Church of the Middle Ages considered the age of accountability, when a person could be tried and even executed as an adult, to be age 7. While certain religions have their guidelines on what it means to be an adult, generally speaking, there are trends that occur regarding religiosity as individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood. The role of religion in one's life can impact development during adolescence. The National Library of Medicine (NCBI) highlights some studies that show rates of religiosity declining as people move out of

3500-479: A woman. Since sperm that enters a woman's uterus and then fallopian tubes goes on to fertilize an egg which develops into a fetus or child, the male reproductive system plays no necessary role during the gestation . The study of male reproduction and associated organs is called andrology . Testosterone stimulates the development of the Wolffian ducts , the penis, and closure of the labioscrotal folds into

3625-536: A young person to carry out that act, by selling, renting out, showing, permitting entrance, allowing participation, etc. There may be distinction between commercially and socially enabling. Sometimes there is the requirement of supervision by a legal guardian , or just by an adult. Sometimes there is no requirement, but rather a recommendation. Using the example of pornography, one can distinguish between: With regard to films with violence, etc.: The age of majority ranges internationally from ages 15 to 21, with 18 being

3750-513: Is armed conflicts , where men are often the immediate victims. A study of conflicts in 13 countries from 1955 to 2002 found that 81% of all violent war deaths were male. Apart from armed conflicts, areas with high incidence of violence, such as regions controlled by drug cartels , also see men experiencing higher mortality rates. This stems from social beliefs that associate ideals of masculinity with aggressive, confrontational behavior. Lastly, sudden and drastic changes in economic environments and

3875-785: Is menarche , the onset of menstruation, which occurs on average around age 12½. For males, first ejaculation , spermarche , occurs on average at age 13. In the 21st century, the average age at which children, especially females, reach specific markers of puberty is lower compared to the 19th century, when it was 15 for females and 17 for males (with age at first periods for females and voice-breaks for males being used as examples). This can be due to any number of factors, including improved nutrition resulting in rapid body growth, increased weight and fat deposition, or exposure to endocrine disruptors such as xenoestrogens , which can at times be due to food consumption or other environmental factors. However, more modern archeological research suggests that

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4000-517: Is "fanciful" and all the historical evidence favours "the conclusion of the French classical scholar Claude de Saumaise " that it is derived from θρ , the contraction of a Greek epithet for Mars, θοῦρος ( Thouros ). Adult Human adulthood encompasses psychological adult development . Definitions of adulthood are often inconsistent and contradictory; a person may be biologically an adult, and have adult behavior, but still be treated as

4125-419: Is a chemical used to make plastics, and is frequently used to make baby bottles, water bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, and as a coating in food and beverage cans. Scientists are concerned about BPA's behavioral effects on fetuses, infants, and children at current exposure levels because it can affect the prostate gland, mammary gland, and lead to early puberty in females. BPA mimics and interferes with

4250-425: Is a wide range of normal ages, females typically begin the process of puberty around age 10½ and end puberty around 15–17; males begin around ages 11½—12 and end around 16–17. Females attain reproductive maturity about four years after the first physical changes of puberty appear. In contrast, males accelerate more slowly but continue to grow for about six years after the first visible pubertal changes. For males,

4375-552: Is achieved at an average age of 15 years for an average female and 18 years for an average male. Potential fertility (sometimes termed nubility ) usually precedes completion of growth by 1–2 years in females and 3–4 years in males. Stage 5 typically represents maximal gonadal growth and adult hormone levels. The definition of the onset of puberty may depend on perspective (e.g., hormonal versus physical) and purpose (establishing population normal standards, clinical care of early or late pubescent individuals, etc.). A common definition for

4500-419: Is an established biological process, the attainment of adulthood is social in its criteria. In contrast to other perspectives that conceptualize aging and the attainment of adulthood as a largely universal development, regardless of context, nation, generation, gender, race, or social class. Social scientists regard these aspects as paramount in cultural definitions of adulthood. Further evidence of adulthood as

4625-639: Is associated with a "gender-role strain" in which men face increased societal pressure to conform to gender roles. The earliest known recorded name of a man in writing is potentially Kushim , who would have lived sometime between 3400 and 3000 BC in the Sumerian city of Uruk ; though his name may have been a title rather than his actual name. The earliest confirmed names are that of Gal-Sal and his two slaves named En-pap X and Sukkalgir, from c.  3100 BC . Men may have children, whether biological or adopted ; such men are called fathers. The role of men in

4750-462: Is considerably more complicated than in males. The main steroid hormones , testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone as well as prolactin play important physiological functions in puberty. The production of gonadal steroids in females starts with production of testosterone, which is typically quickly converted to estradiol inside the ovaries. However the rate of conversion from testosterone to estradiol (driven by FSH/LH balance) during early puberty

4875-467: Is for African-American females and the latest average onset for high altitude subsistence populations in Asia. However, much of the higher age averages reflect nutritional limitations more than genetic differences and can change within a few generations with a substantial change in diet. The median age of menarche for a population may be an index of the proportion of undernourished females in the population, and

5000-413: Is having self-focus. Emerging adults, being away from their parental and societal routines, are now able to do what they want when they want and where they want before they are put back into a routine when they start a marriage, family, and career. Arnett's last feature of emerging adulthood, an age of possibilities, characterizes this stage as one where "optimism reigns". These individuals believe they have

5125-464: Is highly individual, resulting in very diverse development patterns of secondary sexual characteristics . Production of progesterone in the ovaries begins with the development of ovulatory cycles in females (during the lutheal phase of the cycle), before puberty low levels of progesterone are produced in the adrenal glands of both males and females. Estradiol levels rise earlier and reach higher levels in women than in men. While estradiol promotes growth of

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5250-493: Is more likely to leach out of plastic when its temperature is increased, as when one warms a baby bottle or warms up food in the microwave. Nutritional factors are the strongest and most obvious environmental factors affecting timing of puberty. Scientific researchers have linked early obesity with an earlier onset of puberty in females. They have cited obesity as a cause of breast development before nine years and menarche before twelve years. Early puberty in females can be

5375-473: Is normal. In Canada , the average age of menarche is 12.72, and in the United Kingdom it is 12.9. The time between menstrual periods (menses) is not always regular in the first two years after menarche. Ovulation is necessary for fertility , but may or may not accompany the earliest menses. In postmenarchal females, about 80% of the cycles were anovulatory in the first year after menarche, 50% in

5500-477: Is not codified, and is company policy). In Quebec, Canada the Quebec legislature in 2020 raised the age one could purchase recreational marijuana from 18 to 21 stepping out of line with most of the country that set a minimum age of 19 (except Alberta, which is 18.) The Quebec government cited the risk that marijuana poses to the brain development of people under 21 as justification for the age raise. In March 2021,

5625-418: Is often the second noticeable change in puberty, usually within a few months of thelarche. It is referred to as pubarche . The pubic hairs are usually visible first along the labia . The first few hairs are described as Tanner stage 2. Stage 3 is usually reached within another 6–12 months, when the hairs are too numerous to count and appear on the pubic mound as well. By stage 4, the pubic hairs densely fill

5750-775: Is overwhelmingly discriminatory , currently only ten countries include women in their conscription programs. Men continue to hold more dangerous jobs than women, even in developed countries. In the United States in 2020, ten times as many men died on the job as women, and a man was ten times more likely to die on the job than a woman. Media portrayals of men often replicate traditional understanding of masculinity. Men are portrayed more frequently in television than women and most commonly appear as leads in action and drama programming. Men are typically more active in television programming than women and typically hold more power and status. Due to their prominence, men are more likely to be both

5875-516: Is stigmatized. Domestic violence against men is similarly stigmatized, although men make up half of the victims in heterosexual couples. Opponents of circumcision describe it as a human rights violation. The fathers' rights movement seeks to support separated fathers that do not receive equal rights to care for their children. The men's movement is the response to issues faced by men in Western countries. It includes pro-feminist groups such as

6000-682: Is still the benchmark for certain rights or responsibilities. For example, in the US the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits those under 21 from purchasing a handgun from a federally licensed dealer (although federal law makes an exception for individuals between the ages of 18 and 20 to obtain one from a private dealer if state law permits.) As of July 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act mandated that all states raise their respective drinking ages to 21 to create

6125-483: Is the Vandenbergh effect ; a juvenile female who has significant interaction with adult males will enter puberty earlier than juvenile females who are not socially overexposed to adult males. The average age at which puberty begins may be affected by ethnicity as well. For example, the average age of menarche in various populations surveyed has ranged from 12 to 18 years. The earliest average onset of puberty

6250-478: Is the issue of body image . As they physically develop, gaining weight in several areas of the body, early-maturing females usually look larger than females who have not yet entered puberty. A result of the social pressure to be thin, the early-maturing females develop a negative view of their body image. In addition, people may tease the females about their visible breasts, forcing the early-maturing female to hide her breasts by dressing differently. Embarrassment about

6375-453: Is the most likely chronological age for full mental maturity , or indeed, if such an age even exists. Common claims repeated in the media since 2005 (based upon interpretations of imaging data) have commonly suggested an "end-point" of 25, referring to the prefrontal cortex as one area that is not yet fully mature at the age of 18. However, this is based on an interpretation of a brain imaging study by Jay Giedd, dating back to 2004 or 2005, where

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6500-519: Is the process of physical changes through which a child 's body matures into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction . It is initiated by hormonal signals from the brain to the gonads : the ovaries in a female, the testicles in a male. In response to the signals, the gonads produce hormones that stimulate libido and the growth, function, and transformation of the brain, bones , muscle , blood , skin , hair , breasts , and sex organs . Physical growth —height and weight—accelerates in

6625-446: Is typically found on the Y chromosome and causes the development of the testes, which in turn govern other aspects of male sex differentiation . Sex differentiation in males proceeds in a testes-dependent way while female differentiation is not gonad dependent. Primary sex characteristics (or sex organs) are characteristics that are present at birth and are integral to the reproductive process. For men, primary sex characteristics include

6750-419: Is usually a firm, tender lump under the center of the areola of one or both breasts , occurring on average at about 10½ years of age. This is referred to as thelarche . By the widely used Tanner staging of puberty, this is stage 2 of breast development (stage 1 is a flat, prepubertal breast). Within 6–12 months, the swelling has clearly begun in both sides, softened, and can be felt and seen extending beyond

6875-498: The American Academy of Pediatrics states there is "little evidence to affirm the association between circumcision status and optimal penile hygiene", various studies suggest that males be educated about the role of hygiene, including retracting the foreskin while urinating and rinsing under it and around the glans at each bathing opportunity. Regular washing under the foreskin was found by Krueger and Osborn (1986) to reduce

7000-481: The androgen testosterone is the principal sex hormone ; while testosterone is produced, all males' changes are characterized as virilization . A substantial product of testosterone metabolism in males is the estrogen estradiol . The conversion of testosterone to estradiol depends on the amount of body fat and estradiol levels in males are typically much lower than in females. The male "growth spurt" also begins later, accelerates more slowly, and lasts longer before

7125-612: The beard area. As with most human biological processes, this specific order may vary among some individuals. Arm, leg, chest , abdominal , and back hair become heavier more gradually. There is a large range in amount of body hair among adult men, and significant differences in timing and quantity of hair growth among different racial groups. Facial hair is often present in late adolescence, but may not appear until significantly later. Facial hair will continue to get coarser, darker and thicker for another 2–4 years after puberty. Some men do not develop full facial hair for up to 10 years after

7250-456: The epiphyses fuse. Although males are on average 2 centimetres (0.8 in) shorter than females before puberty begins, adult men are on average about 13 centimetres (5.1 in) taller than women. Most of this sex difference in adult heights is attributable to a later onset of the growth spurt and a slower progression to completion, a direct result of the later rise and lower adult male levels of estradiol. The hormonal maturation of females

7375-568: The follicles in the ovaries increase in size. The ovaries usually contain small follicular cysts visible by ultrasound . The first menstrual bleeding is referred to as menarche , and typically occurs about two years after thelarche . The average age of menarche is 12½ in the United States . Most American females experience their first period at 11, 12 or 13, but some experience it earlier than their 11th birthday and others after their 14th birthday. In fact, anytime between 8 and 16

7500-483: The men's liberation movement , and anti-feminist groups such as the manosphere . The Mars symbol (♂) is a common symbol that represents the male sex. The symbol is identical to the planetary symbol of Mars . It was first used to denote sex by Carl Linnaeus in 1751. The symbol is sometimes seen as a stylized representation of the shield and spear of the Roman god Mars . According to Stearn, however, this derivation

7625-462: The morphologic changes in size, shape, composition, and functioning of the pubertal body, is the development of secondary sex characteristics, the "filling in" of the child's body; from girl to woman, from boy to man. Derived from the Latin puberatum (age of maturity), the word puberty describes the physical changes to sexual maturation, not the psychosocial and cultural maturation denoted by

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7750-404: The pelvis and thus hips widen (providing a larger birth canal ). Fat tissue increases to a greater percentage of the body composition than in males, especially in the typical female distribution of breasts, hips, buttocks, thighs, upper arms, and pubis. Progressive differences in fat distribution as well as sex differences in local skeletal growth contribute to the typical female body shape by

7875-518: The penis and testicles . Adult humans exhibit sexual dimorphism in many other characteristics, many of which have no direct link to reproductive ability. Humans are sexually dimorphic in body size, body structure, and body composition. Men tend to be taller and heavier than women, and adjusted for height, men tend to have greater lean and bone mass than women, and lower fat mass. Secondary sex characteristics are features that appear during puberty in humans . Such features are especially evident in

8000-433: The sexually dimorphic phenotypic traits that distinguish between the sexes, but—unlike the primary sex characteristics—are not directly part of the reproductive system . Secondary sexual characteristics that are specific to men include: Men weigh more than women. On average, men are taller than women by about 10%. On average, men have a larger waist in comparison to their hips (see waist–hip ratio ) than women. In women,

8125-409: The vasa deferentia and ejaculatory ducts , tubular structures that transfer the mature sperm to the urethra. The external male genitalia consist of the penis , an organ that expels semen , and the scrotum , a pouch of skin housing the testicles. The male reproductive system's function is to produce semen , which carries sperm and thus genetic information that can unite with an egg within

8250-548: The "head of household" and held additional social privileges. Men have traditionally held jobs that were not available to women. Such jobs tended to be either more strenuous, more prestigious, or more dangerous. Modern men increasingly take untraditional career paths, such as staying home and raising children while their partner works. Modern men tend to work longer than women, which impacts their ability to spend time with their families. Even in modern times, some jobs remain available only to men, such as military service. Conscription

8375-487: The "pubic triangle". Stage 5 refers to spread of pubic hair to the thighs and sometimes as abdominal hair upward towards the navel . In about 15% of females, the earliest pubic hair appears before breast development begins. Perineal skin keratinizes due to effect of estrogen increasing its resistance to infection. The mucosal surface of the vagina also changes in response to increasing levels of estrogen , becoming thicker and duller pink in color (in contrast to

8500-473: The 26th Amendment passed mandating that the right to vote cannot be abridged for anyone 18 or older. The voting age was lowered in response to the fact that young men between the ages of 18 and 21 were drafted into the army to fight in the Vietnam War, hence the popular slogan "old enough to fight, old enough to vote" Young people under 21 in the US could also not purchase alcohol, purchase handguns, sign

8625-513: The action of estrogen—an important reproduction and development regulator. It leaches out of plastic into liquids and foods, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found measurable amounts of BPA in the bodies of more than 90 percent of the U.S. population studied. The highest estimated daily intakes of BPA occur in infants and children. Many plastic baby bottles contain BPA, and BPA

8750-497: The age of 16 although they cannot purchase spirits or hard liquor until 18. The age of consent in Germany is 14 if both partners are under 18. Sexual activity with a person under 18 is punishable if the adult is a person of authority over the minor in upbringing, education, care, or employment. In contrast to biological perspectives of aging and adulthood, social scientists conceptualize adulthood as socially constructed. While aging

8875-505: The age that one can buy tobacco from 18 to 21 in an attempt to curb teen and young adult use to get to a "smoke-free" UK by 2030. All of these laws made over the years reflect the growing awareness that young adults, while not children, are still in a transitional stage between adolescence and full adulthood and that there should be policy adjustments or restrictions where necessary, especially where it pertains to activities that carry certain degrees of risk or harm to themselves or others. At

9000-476: The ages of 18 and 20 obtaining a credit card. Young adults under the age of 21 must either have a co-signer 21 or older or show proof (usually a source of income) that they can repay their credit card balance. Unless that requirement is met, one must wait until 21 to be approved for a credit card on their own. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 expands the age that young adults can remain on their parent's health insurance plan up to age 26. As of December 2019 ,

9125-577: The base word "adult", the term is also frequently used to refer to social adults. The two-word term biological adult stresses or clarifies that the original definition, based on physical maturity (i.e. having reached reproductive competency), is being used. The time of puberty varies from child to child, but usually begins between 10 and 12 years old. Girls typically begin the process of puberty at age 10 or 11, and boys at age 11 or 12. Girls generally complete puberty by 15–17, and boys by age 16 or 17. Nutrition, genetics and environment also usually play

9250-425: The breasts and uterus , it is also the principal hormone driving the pubertal growth spurt and epiphyseal maturation and closure. Puberty is preceded by adrenarche , marking an increase of adrenal androgen production between ages 6–10. Adrenarche is sometimes accompanied by the early appearance of axillary and pubic hair. The first androgenic hair resulting from adrenarche can be also transient and disappear before

9375-421: The brighter red of the prepubertal vaginal mucosa). Mucosa changes into a multilayered structure with superficial layer of squamous cells. Estrogen increase glycogen content in vaginal epithelium , which in future plays important part in maintaining vaginal pH . Whitish secretions (physiologic leukorrhea ) are a normal effect of estrogen as well. In the two years following thelarche, the uterus , ovaries , and

9500-492: The candidates is an androgen receptor gene. Researchers have hypothesized that early puberty onset may be caused by certain hair care products containing estrogen or placenta, and by certain chemicals, namely phthalates , which are used in many cosmetics, toys, and plastic food containers. There is theoretical concern, and animal evidence, that environmental hormones and chemicals may affect aspects of prenatal or postnatal sexual development in humans. Bisphenol A (BPA)

9625-430: The common cold found that doctors underrate the symptoms of men, and are more willing to attribute symptoms and illness to women than men. Women live longer than men in all countries, and across all age groups, for which reliable records exist. In the United States, men are less healthy than women across all social classes. Non-white men are especially unhealthy. Men are over-represented in dangerous occupations and represent

9750-468: The completion of puberty. Under the influence of androgens, the larynx (or voice box) grows in both sexes. This growth is far more prominent in males, causing the male voice to drop and deepen, sometimes abruptly but rarely "overnight", about one octave , because the longer and thicker vocal folds have a lower fundamental frequency . Before puberty, the larynx of males and females is about equally small. The first physical sign of puberty in females

9875-486: The death penalty. In Germany, courts largely sentence defendants under the age of 21 according to juvenile law in a bid to help them reintegrate into society and mete out punishments that fit the crime as well as the offender. In May 2021, the state of Texas raised the age that one can be an exotic dancer and work and patronize sexually oriented businesses from 18 to 21. In the UK, there have been many proposals to raise

10000-518: The definition of the biological male sex , as both males and females can exhibit masculine traits. Men generally face social stigma for embodying feminine traits, more so than women do for embodying masculine traits. This can also manifest as homophobia . Standards of manliness or masculinity vary across different cultures and historical periods. While the outward signs of masculinity look different in different cultures, there are some common aspects to its definition across cultures. In all cultures in

10125-444: The development of secondary sexual characteristics that result in even more differences between the sexes. These include greater muscle mass , greater height, the growth of facial hair and a lower body fat composition. Male anatomy is distinguished from female anatomy by the male reproductive system , which includes the testicles , sperm ducts , prostate gland and epididymides , and penis . Secondary sex characteristics include

10250-521: The development of breasts in women, ejaculation , the development of facial hair, and a deeper voice in men, and pubic hair in both sexes). In the past, a person usually moved from the status of child directly to the status of adult, often with this shift being marked by some type of coming-of-age test or ceremony. During the Industrial Revolution, children went to work as soon as they could in order to help provide for their family. There

10375-441: The edges of the areolae. This is stage 3 of breast development. By another 12 months (stage 4), the breasts are approaching mature size and shape, with areolae and nipples forming a secondary mound. In most young women, this mound disappears into the contour of the mature breast (stage 5), although there is so much variation in sizes and shapes of adult breasts that stages 4 and 5 are not always separately identifiable. Pubic hair

10500-581: The effects of an early or a late onset of puberty in males and females. In general, females who enter puberty late experience positive outcomes in adolescence and adulthood, while females who enter puberty early experience negative outcomes. Males who have earlier pubertal timing generally have more positive outcomes in adulthood but more negative outcomes in adolescence, while the reverse is true for later pubertal timing. Outcomes have generally indicated that early onset of puberty in females can be psychologically damaging. The main reason for this detrimental effect

10625-414: The end of puberty. On average, at 10 years, females have 6% more body fat than males. Rising levels of androgens can change the fatty acid composition of perspiration , resulting in a more "adult" body odor . This often precedes thelarche and pubarche by one or more years. Another androgen effect is increased secretion of oil ( sebum ) from the skin. This change increases the susceptibility to acne ,

10750-437: The enlargement of the testicles and scrotum . The penis also increases in size, and a male develops pubic hair. A male's testicles also begin making sperm . The release of semen , which contains sperm and other fluids, is called ejaculation . During puberty, a male's erect penis becomes capable of ejaculating semen and impregnating a female. A male's first ejaculation is an important milestone in his development. On average,

10875-550: The family has shifted considerably in the 20th and 21st centuries, taking on a more active role in raising children in most societies. Men would traditionally marry a woman when raising children, but in modern times many countries now allow for same-sex marriage , and for those couples to raise children either via adoption or surrogacy . Men may be single parents , and are increasingly so in modern times, though women are three times more likely to be single parents than men. In paternal societies, men have typically have been regarded as

11000-471: The federal government raised the legal age to purchase tobacco and vaping products from 18 to 21. In states where recreational marijuana is legalized, the default age is also 21, though those younger may be able to obtain medical marijuana prescriptions or cards upon seeing a physician. Gambling also varies from 18 to 21 depending on the state and many rental car companies do not rent cars to those under 21 and have surcharges for drivers under 25 (although this

11125-415: The females' womanly physique and femaleish innocence." While having an older malefriend might improve popularity among peers, it also increases the risk of alcohol and drug use, increased sexual relations (often unprotected), eating disorders and bullying. Generally, later onset of puberty in females produces positive outcomes. They exhibit positive behaviors in adolescence that continue to adulthood. In

11250-554: The first half of puberty and is completed when an adult body has been developed. Before puberty, the external sex organs, known as primary sexual characteristics , are sex characteristics that distinguish males and females. Puberty leads to sexual dimorphism through the development of the secondary sex characteristics , which further distinguish the sexes. On average, females begin puberty at age 10½ and complete puberty at ages 15-17; males begin at ages 11½-12 and complete puberty at ages 16-17. The major landmark of puberty for females

11375-443: The functioning of the lower urinary tract. Hair growth develops under the arms, starting out sparse before thickening and darkening over time. In a general sense, the conclusion of puberty is reproductive maturity. Criteria for defining the conclusion may differ for different purposes: attainment of the ability to reproduce, achievement of maximal adult height, maximal gonadal size, or adult sex hormone levels. Maximal adult height

11500-447: The glans. The foreskin then gradually becomes retractable. Research by Øster (1968) found that with the onset and continuation of puberty, the proportion of males able to pull back their foreskins increased. At ages 12–13, Øster found that only 60% of males were able to retract their foreskins; this increased to 85% by ages 14–15, and 95% by 16–17. He also found that 1% of those unable to fully retract experienced phimosis at ages 14–17,

11625-564: The house and live on their own. Oftentimes when people live on their own, they change their life goals and religion tends to be less important as they discover who they are. Other studies from the NCBI show that as adults get married and have children they settle down, and as they do, there tends to be an increase in religiosity. Everyone's level of religiosity builds at a different pace, meaning that religion relative to adult development varies across cultures and time. Puberty Puberty

11750-450: The index and ring fingers tend to be either more similar in size or their index finger is slightly longer than their ring finger, whereas men's ring finger tends to be longer. The internal male genitalia consist of the testicles , gonads that produce male gametes called sperm , the prostate , seminal vesicles , and bulbourethral glands , accessory glands that partake in sperm health, the epididymides , organs that store sperm cells, and

11875-506: The life stage of emerging adulthood. The first feature, identity exploration, describes emerging adults making decisions for themselves about their career, education, and love life. This is a time of life when a young person has yet to finalize these decisions but are pondering them, making them feel somewhere in between adolescent and adult. This leads into a second feature of this phase of life—feeling in between. Emerging adults feel that they are taking on responsibilities but do not feel like

12000-435: The loss of social safety nets , in particular social subsidies and food stamps, have also been linked to higher levels of alcohol consumption and psychological stress among men, leading to a spike in male mortality rates. This is because such situations often makes it harder for men to provide for their family, a task that has been long regarded as the "essence of masculinity." A retrospective analyses of people infected with

12125-475: The most common age. Nigeria , Mali , Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon define adulthood at age 15, but marriage of girls at an earlier age is common. In most of the world, the legal adult age is 18 for most purposes, with some notable exceptions: Prior to the 1970s, young people were not classed as adults until 21 in most western nations. For example, in the United States, young citizens could not vote in many elections until 21 until July 1971 when

12250-517: The normal population. After the male's testicles have enlarged and developed for about one year, the length and then the breadth of the shaft of the penis will increase and the glans penis and corpora cavernosa will also start to enlarge to adult proportions. Erections during sleep or when waking up are medically known as nocturnal penile tumescence and colloquially referred to as morning wood . The penis can regularly get erect during sleep and men or males often wake up with an erection. Once

12375-406: The objects and instigators of humorous or disparaging content. Fathers are often portrayed in television as either idealized and caring or clumsy and inept. In advertising, men are disproportionately featured in advertisements for alcohol, vehicles, and business products. Men's clothing typically encompasses a range of garments designed for various occasions, seasons, and styles. Fundamental items of

12500-438: The only participants were aged up to 21 years, and Giedd assumed this maturing process would be done by the age of 25 years, whereas more recent studies show prefrontal cortex maturation continuing well past the age of 30 years, marking this interpretation as incorrect and outdated. Legally, adulthood typically means that one has reached the age of majority – when parents lose parental rights and responsibilities regarding

12625-466: The onset of puberty is physical changes to a person's body. These physical changes are the first visible signs of neural, hormonal, and gonadal function changes. The age at which puberty begins varies between individuals; usually, puberty begins between 10 and 13 years of age. The age at which puberty begins is affected by both genetic factors and by environmental factors such as nutritional state and social circumstances. An example of social circumstances

12750-588: The onset of puberty, and then decline to adult levels when puberty is completed. The rise in GnRH might also be caused by genetics. A study discovered that a mutation in genes encoding both neurokinin B as well as the neurokinin B receptor can alter the timing of puberty. The researchers hypothesized that neurokinin B might play a role in regulating the secretion of kisspeptin , a compound responsible for triggering direct release of GnRH as well as indirect release of LH and FSH. Several studies about puberty have examined

12875-534: The onset of true puberty. The onset of puberty is associated with high GnRH pulsing, which precedes the rise in sex hormones, LH and FSH . Exogenous GnRH pulses cause the onset of puberty. Brain tumors which increase GnRH output may also lead to premature puberty . The cause of the GnRH rise is unknown. Leptin might be the cause of the GnRH rise. Leptin has receptors in the hypothalamus which synthesizes GnRH. Individuals who are deficient in leptin fail to initiate puberty. The levels of leptin increase with

13000-746: The past, and still among traditional and non-Western cultures, getting married is the most common and definitive distinction between boyhood and manhood. In the late 20th century, some qualities traditionally associated with marriage (such as the "triple Ps" of protecting, providing, and procreating ) were still considered signs of having achieved manhood. Platonic relationships are not significantly different between men and women, though some differences do exist. Friendships involving men tend to be based more on shared activities than self-disclosure and personal connection. Perceptions of friendship involving men varies among cultures and time periods. In heterosexual romantic relationships, men are typically expected to take

13125-435: The past, early onset of puberty in males has been associated with positive outcomes, such as leadership in high school and success in adulthood. However, recent studies have revealed that the risks and problems of early maturation in males might outweigh the benefits. Early-maturing males develop "more aggressive, law-breaking, and alcohol abusing" behaviors, which result in anger towards parents and trouble in school and with

13250-441: The person concerned. Depending on one's jurisdiction, the age of majority may or may not be set independently of and should not be confused with the minimum ages applicable to other activities, such as engaging in a contract , marriage , voting , having a job , serving in the military , buying/possessing firearms , driving , traveling abroad, involvement with alcoholic beverages , smoking , sexual activity , gambling , being

13375-448: The phenomenon could be linked to obesity or exposure to chemicals in the food chain, and is putting females at greater long-term risk of breast cancer. Various studies have found direct genetic effects to account for at least 46% of the variation of timing of puberty in well-nourished populations. The genetic association of timing is strongest between mothers and daughters. The specific genes affecting timing are not yet known. Among

13500-505: The police. Early puberty also correlates with increased sexual activity and a higher instance of teenage pregnancy, both of which can lead to depression and other psychosocial issues. On the other hand, late-maturing males develop lower self-esteem and confidence and generally have lower popularity among peers, due to their less-developed physiques. Also, they experience problems with anxiety and depression and are more likely to be afraid of sex than other males. In males, puberty begins with

13625-431: The rate of puberty as it occurs now is the intended way. Growth spurts began at around 10-12, but markers of later stages of puberty such as menarche had delays that correlated with severe environmental conditions such as poverty, poor nutrition, air and pollution. Puberty that starts earlier than usual is known as precocious puberty , and puberty which starts later than usual is known as delayed puberty . Notable among

13750-499: The remainder were partially able to. The findings were supported by further research by Kayaba et al (1996) on a sample of over 600 males, and Ishikawa and Kawakita (2004) found that by age 15, 77% of their sample of males could retract their foreskins. Beaugé (1997) reports that males may assist the development of retractile foreskin by manual stretching. Once a male is able to retract his foreskin, penile hygiene should become an important feature of his routine body care. Although

13875-403: The right to vote in school board elections. There is a growing movement to lower the voting age in the US and many other countries from 18 to 16 in hopes of engaging the youth vote and encouraging greater electoral participation. Some countries already have a voting age of 16 which include Austria, Scotland, Argentina, Brazil, Wales, Cuba, and Ecuador. In Germany, one can purchase beer and wine at

14000-491: The risk of numerous penile disorders, however Birley et al. (1993) reports excessive washing with soap should be avoided because it dries the oils out of the tissues and can cause non-specific dermatitis . In the months and years following the appearance of pubic hair, other areas of skin that respond to androgens may develop androgenic hair . The usual sequence is: underarm (axillary) hair , perianal hair , upper lip hair , sideburn (preauricular) hair, periareolar hair, and

14125-492: The same time, however, even though the generally accepted age of majority is 18 in most nations, there are rights or privileges afforded to adolescents who have not yet reached legal adulthood. In the United States, youth are able to get a part-time job at 14 provided they have a work permit. At 16, one is able to obtain a driver's permit or license depending on state laws and is able to work most jobs (except ones requiring heavy machinery) and consent to sexual activity (depending on

14250-503: The scrotum. Another significant hormone in sexual differentiation is the anti-Müllerian hormone , which inhibits the development of the Müllerian ducts . For males during puberty, testosterone, along with gonadotropins released by the pituitary gland , stimulates spermatogenesis . While a majority of the global health gender disparities is weighted against women, there are situations in which men tend to fare poorer. One such instance

14375-606: The state of Washington in a 5–4 decision, justices in the Supreme Court of the State of Washington tossed the life without parole sentences of a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old convicted in separate cases of first-degree aggravated murder decades ago, saying, as with juveniles, the court must first consider the age of those under 21 before sentencing them to die behind bars. This comes at a time where there are ongoing debates about whether those between 18 and 20 should be exempted from

14500-570: The state). At 17, one is able to enlist in the armed forces with parental consent although they cannot be deployed to be in combat roles until age 18. The voting age for local elections in most American cities is 18. But in five localities nationwide — four of which are in Maryland — 16 and 17-year-olds are eligible to vote. The cities are Takoma Park, Riverdale, Greenbelt, and Hyattsville. In 2020, students 16 or older in Oakland, California gained

14625-481: The subsequent result of a failure to commence or complete puberty, secondary hypogonadism and infertility . The average age at which the onset of puberty occurs has dropped significantly since the 1840s. A 2006 study in Denmark found that puberty, as evidenced by breast development, started at an average age of 9 years and 10 months, a year earlier than when a similar study was done in 1991. Scientists believe

14750-466: The term adolescent development in Western culture , wherein adolescence is the period of mental transition from childhood to adulthood , which overlaps much of the body's period of puberty. Two of the most significant differences between puberty in females and puberty in males are the age at which it begins, and the major sex steroids involved, the androgens and the estrogens . Although there

14875-452: The testicles is among the parameters of the Tanner scale for male genitals , from stage I which represents a volume of less than 1.5 ml, to stage V which represents a testicular volume of greater than or equal to 20 ml. Testicular size reaches maximal adult size about 6 years after the onset of puberty. While 18–20 cm is an average adult size, there is wide variation in testicular size in

15000-404: The third year and 10% in the sixth year. Initiation of ovulation after menarche is not inevitable. A high proportion of females with continued irregularity in the menstrual cycle several years from menarche will continue to have prolonged irregularity and anovulation, and are at higher risk for reduced fertility. During this period, also in response to rising levels of estrogen, the lower half of

15125-526: The unique characteristics of different parts of the world. Men traditionally received more education than women as a result of single-sex education . Universal education, meaning state-provided primary and secondary education independent of gender, is not yet a global norm, even if it is assumed in most developed countries. In the 21st century, the balance has shifted in many developed nations, and men now lag behind women in education. Men are more likely than women to be faculty at universities. In 2020, 90% of

15250-540: The width of the spread may reflect unevenness of wealth and food distribution in a population. Researchers have identified an earlier age of the onset of puberty. However, they have based their conclusions on a comparison of data from 1999 with data from 1969. In the earlier example, the sample population was based on a small sample of white females (200, from Britain). The later study identified as puberty as occurring in 48% of African-American females by age nine, and 12% of white females by that age. One possible cause of

15375-462: The world's men were literate , compared to 87% of women. But sub-Saharan Africa, and southwest Asia lagged behind the rest of the world; only 72% of men in sub-Saharan Africa were literate. In most societies, men have more legal and cultural rights than women. and misogyny is far more prevalent than misandry in society. While one in six male experiences sexual assault , men typically receive less support after being victims of it, and rape of males

15500-499: Was wer . Mann only came to mean "man" in Middle English, replacing wer , which survives today only in the compounds " werewolf " (from Old English werwulf , literally "man-wolf"), and " wergild ", literally "man-payment". In humans, sperm cells carry either an X or a Y sex chromosome. If a sperm cell carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the female ovum , the offspring will have a male karyotype (XY). The SRY gene

15625-476: Was not a huge emphasis on school or education in general. Many children could get a job and were not required to have experience as adults are nowadays. Adulthood, in more recent years, as it has been studied has developed a characteristic list, that goes far beyond just ones physical maturity. These markers for a full, mentally developed, adult include traits of personal responsibilities in multiple aspects of life. Although few or no established dictionaries provide

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