Boys go through puberty just like us girls, but we’re the lucky ones. Really! We get to experience all the big, exciting changes first. How’s that for girl power? Here’s a breakdown of how puberty in girls compares to what boys experience.
Growth SpurtsLadies first! Girls start getting taller around 10 years old. Guys usually don’t go through growth spurts until age 12. It might feel like you tower over the boys in your class now (ugh, you’re a giant compared to that boy you fancy!), but he’ll catch up sooner or later.
Body ShapeGirls win yet again! During puberty, you’ll start to grow breasts and your body will get curvier. Boys change a little later, and in different ways — their shoulders get wider, their muscles expand in size and even their faces change. A boy’s nose and jaw get more prominent, and his forehead usually gets higher.
Body HairGirls might start growing hair under their arms before boys, but overall, boys get much hairier. The coarse texture of a boy’s hair makes facial and body hair more noticeable, too.
AcneBecause girls go through puberty before boys, you might get zits first. That boy at school’s smooth, perfect skin might seem unfair now, but he certainly has it coming to him in the not-so-distant future! And who knows, by then your acne might be mostly cleared up, leaving you the glowing one.
SweatingLadies, if you feel like you sweat a lot, just wait until you get a whiff of a boy going through puberty — much less a gym full of them! Men simply sweat more than women. We’ll let them win this one. Congrats on being the stinky ones, gents!
All in all, girls clearly come out on top. So why not keep this competitive spirit going. Tell us, what does girl power mean to you?