Which adolescent is most likely to have the greatest difficulty adjusting?

• A. The early maturing girl.
• B. The early maturing boy.
• C. The late maturing girl.
• D. The late maturing boy.

Answer: (D)

Adolescents compare themselves to their peers on physical development, and timing can influence how easily they adjust to the transition. Boys who mature later than peers often lag in height, muscle development, and overall physical prowess, which can lead to teasing, lower social standing, and reduced participation in sports or activities they value. That combination of social insecurity and perceived lack of competence tends to produce the greatest difficulties in adjusting during this period. In contrast, early maturation in boys tends to confer social advantages, and girls’ adjustment patterns, while variable, do not typically reach the same level of social mismatch associated with late-maturing boys.