Puberty (or more properly called adolescence) can be divided into 5 distinct stages (stage 1 is childhood)
STAGE 2.
The beginning of this stage is marked when the gender specific hormones (testosterone for males) rise in the blood stream, although outward signs do not appear immediately. This happens on average around age 10 (although could happen as early as 8 or late as 14). About a year later the first signs appear: the swelling (reddening) of the scrotum and the testicle size beginning to increase. Most boys miss this first sign as it happens gradually and is subtle. They generally don't realize they are changing until they experience spontaneous erections or sparse hair appearing at the base of the penis, which can be an additional year later. The penis does barely begin developing during this stage, both increasing in length and width a bit. Some boys also gain the ability to ejaculate semen toward the end of Stage 2, but some boys don't get it until Stage 4. Stage 2 technically lasts about 3 years in total, but only 2 years in terms of the visible changes. It ends around age 13 when the growth rate begins to increase, marking the beginning of the adolescent growth spurt.
STAGE 3.
This stage is categorized by the growth rate increasing. On average it begins around age 13 but could start as early as 10 or late as 16. In the early part of the stage the feet and hands tend to become large and out of proportion to the rest of the body, in preparation for the growth spurt. The main secondary characteristic for this stage is the pubic hair spreading across the pubic bone (although not real dense). Other indicators would be the thinning of the scrotum allowing the testicles to hang down when warm, and the penis starting to become longer. Also during this stage some fine hairs may be detected in the arm pits. The testicles continue their growth and generally don't reach full size until Stage 5 is reached. The nipples also begin to develop, becoming darker although this may have started in stage 2. This is the shortest of the stages lasting only about six months to a year.
STAGE 4.
The transition point from Stage 3 to Stage 4 is marked by the peak growth rate - in other words the time when a boy is growing at his fastest. The growth mainly consists of the lengthening of the limbs (arms and legs) which gives the rapid gain in height. This often causes the legs to become out of proportion to the rest of the body, although this soon changes. In the early part of Stage 4 the pubic hair becomes both denser and adult in type, covering most of the area between the thighs. Hair in the arm pits becomes noticeable and "peach fuzz" often appears on the upper lip, forming a vague moustache shadow. The penis also becomes noticeably longer and the glans at the end of the penis darkens in color. The voice begins to change, breaking at awkward times. The stage starts on average about age 13.5 to 14 years, but could start as early as 11 or late as 17. This is the longest of the stages lasting about 3 years.
Eventually, growth begins to slow down and at the same time, facial hair starts to appear on the upper lip, chin and near ears, creating side burns. Most boys develop a narrow strip of hair from the groin up to the belly button. It isn't really pubic hair, but the start of body hair. Underarm hair becomes both darker and thicker. The penis continues to grow, but now mostly in width as the glans develops a distinct corona. The nipples become harder, stick out and are more sensitive to touch. As growth continues to slow down, the upper body begins to make gains: the spine gets longer, putting the boy back in a balanced shape after the rapid growth phase and adding an extra inch or two to his height. Towards the end of growth the shoulders get wider and muscle mass increases.
STAGE 5.
Stage 5 is reached when growth in height stops. On average it starts around age 17 but could be reached as early as 15 or late as 20. By stage 5, the beginnings of chest hair will have started (usually near the end of stage 4), hair spreads to the inner thighs and facial hair will have spread across the face somewhat. However, it will usually be a couple of years past stage 5 before a full beard can be grown, and body hair will continue to develop throughout a man's life.
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Puberty (or more properly called adolescence) can be divided into 5 distinct stages (stage 1 is childhood)
STAGE 2.
The beginning of this stage is marked when the gender specific hormones (testosterone for males) rise in the blood stream, although outward signs do not appear immediately. This happens on average around age 10 (although could happen as early as 8 or late as 14). About a year later the first signs appear: the swelling (reddening) of the scrotum and the testicle size beginning to increase. Most boys miss this first sign as it happens gradually and is subtle. They generally don't realize they are changing until they experience spontaneous erections or sparse hair appearing at the base of the penis, which can be an additional year later. The penis does barely begin developing during this stage, both increasing in length and width a bit. Some boys also gain the ability to ejaculate semen toward the end of Stage 2, but some boys don't get it until Stage 4. Stage 2 technically lasts about 3 years in total, but only 2 years in terms of the visible changes. It ends around age 13 when the growth rate begins to increase, marking the beginning of the adolescent growth spurt.
STAGE 3.
This stage is categorized by the growth rate increasing. On average it begins around age 13 but could start as early as 10 or late as 16. In the early part of the stage the feet and hands tend to become large and out of proportion to the rest of the body, in preparation for the growth spurt. The main secondary characteristic for this stage is the pubic hair spreading across the pubic bone (although not real dense). Other indicators would be the thinning of the scrotum allowing the testicles to hang down when warm, and the penis starting to become longer. Also during this stage some fine hairs may be detected in the arm pits. The testicles continue their growth and generally don't reach full size until Stage 5 is reached. The nipples also begin to develop, becoming darker although this may have started in stage 2. This is the shortest of the stages lasting only about six months to a year.
STAGE 4.
The transition point from Stage 3 to Stage 4 is marked by the peak growth rate - in other words the time when a boy is growing at his fastest. The growth mainly consists of the lengthening of the limbs (arms and legs) which gives the rapid gain in height. This often causes the legs to become out of proportion to the rest of the body, although this soon changes. In the early part of Stage 4 the pubic hair becomes both denser and adult in type, covering most of the area between the thighs. Hair in the arm pits becomes noticeable and "peach fuzz" often appears on the upper lip, forming a vague moustache shadow. The penis also becomes noticeably longer and the glans at the end of the penis darkens in color. The voice begins to change, breaking at awkward times. The stage starts on average about age 13.5 to 14 years, but could start as early as 11 or late as 17. This is the longest of the stages lasting about 3 years.
Eventually, growth begins to slow down and at the same time, facial hair starts to appear on the upper lip, chin and near ears, creating side burns. Most boys develop a narrow strip of hair from the groin up to the belly button. It isn't really pubic hair, but the start of body hair. Underarm hair becomes both darker and thicker. The penis continues to grow, but now mostly in width as the glans develops a distinct corona. The nipples become harder, stick out and are more sensitive to touch. As growth continues to slow down, the upper body begins to make gains: the spine gets longer, putting the boy back in a balanced shape after the rapid growth phase and adding an extra inch or two to his height. Towards the end of growth the shoulders get wider and muscle mass increases.
STAGE 5.
Stage 5 is reached when growth in height stops. On average it starts around age 17 but could be reached as early as 15 or late as 20. By stage 5, the beginnings of chest hair will have started (usually near the end of stage 4), hair spreads to the inner thighs and facial hair will have spread across the face somewhat. However, it will usually be a couple of years past stage 5 before a full beard can be grown, and body hair will continue to develop throughout a man's life.
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I hope that answers your question...
Puberty Stages
Tanner Stages Boys
Depends whose charts you are using.
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