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Parenthood is full of responsibilities. Taking responsibility of a child let alone a male child, is not solely one of expenditure, but it covers keeping watchful eyes on their well-being, character, and the developmental attitude. According to rules of modernity, parents are to be punished for neglecting their children - this is what makes the role of being watchful a great task for each parent. Although schooling is important to every child, or in modern terms, schooling is every child's right, good parenting or guardianship is also the right for every child because ''charity begins at home' , even for the male child!
From weaning and toilet training to the journey towards manhood, parents should be observant. A growing child's attitude towards the opposite sex is one development a parent should be mindful of when approaching manhood. When the male child begins to refuse parental assistance in what clothes to wear and when to bathe, and demands privacy when getting dressed, it becomes apparent that the toddler has started his journey towards manhood. This marks the time for parents to stop invading the privacy of their 'child', and to become watchful so the sense of freedom does not go too far.
Now let us be frank, ask yourself the question: "do I need a doctor to know the stages of development in my child?" Even in the treatment of some ailments, the doctor needs to ask you what you observe in your child, so you are the first observer.
Puberty Stage:
At the initial stage of puberty, the pituitary gland (a pea-shaped gland located at the bottom of the brain) releases special hormones. Depending on being either a boy or a girl, these hormones work on different parts of the body. This is a very rapid growth period when the body will grow faster than any other time in life, except for when a baby. We hear parents say:
''My son is demanding too much''
Everybody goes through these changes no matter where you live, whether you are a boy or a girl. In general, puberty starts between the age of 8 and 13 in girls and the age of 10 and 15 in boys. This wide range in ages may help to explain why some look like young kids whereas others look more like adults.
Assessment of the Journey Toward Manhood
There are things to observe when one's son is growing into manhood. Again, one should not invade their privacy, but maintain vigilance for their benefit.
- Changes in attitudes toward the opposite sex.
- Changes in vocal tone
- Identification: when with people whom he likes to comment on visual changes on his body, he wants to be referred to as a young man, and not as the boy that he is. He wants to demonstrate his muscles and sometimes look into the mirror to see if there is a 'sign' of a beard.
- Male musculature and body build takes on shape
- Body odor (and acne in some cases)
Traditional Approach to the Transition:
All of these physical changes can be overwhelming, confusing, and frightening for the young man, and parents can help ease these transitions by being open and honest in answering questions, providing age-appropriate information, and reassuring their son that all of these are a normal part of the process of development toward adulthood.
Generally speaking, with the commencement of puberty reproductive maturity starts. In some African cultures, the young man is still under the control of his father. There is no age for freedom until he gets married. To become a man in his own right, he has to learn the trade of his parents, and to help them succeed in life. Even some young couples are still under their parents' control, and can not take any critical steps without parental advice.
In conclusion, puberty is not a period of unbridled freedom, but is a beginning of another journey, i.e., the voyage of manhood, responsibility, the open school for teaching how to paddle one's canoe oneself, and how to face the life challenges ahead. Parents must be there to serve as an x-ray for their children, and filters to sift out viruses that may be within them.
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