Early Development of Boys and Girls in Late Childhood
Early and late development can have both positive and negative effects on boys and girls. The advantage to early development may be that it can lead to greater self-esteem and social success as a child. An example of this is early maturing boys. They may have higher self-esteem and be more assertive. This can result in increased popularity or leadership roles within social networks. Early maturing girls might be physically more mature and well-rounded, which could also help them to achieve greater social success. Early development can have adverse consequences. Research has shown that early maturing boys may be at greater risk for engaging in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse and early sexual activity (Brooks-Gunn & Graber, 2019). Early maturing girls may also face increased pressure to conform to societal expectations of attractiveness and may be more vulnerable to negative body image and eating disorders (Brooks-Gunn & Graber, 2019). Late development, on the other hand can have its advantages and drawbacks. Late maturing individuals may have the opportunity to observe and learn from their peers, which can lead to increased social competence (Brooks-Gunn & Graber, 2019). But, late developmental can lead to low self-esteem, feelings of inadequacy, and vulnerability to social isolation and bullying. Cont…