Prepubescent: meaning, definitions and examples
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prepubescent
[priːˈpjuːbəsənt ]
Definition
developmental stage
Prepubescent refers to the period of physical development before the onset of puberty, during which a child has yet to undergo the secondary sexual characteristics and changes that come with adolescence. This stage typically occurs in children aged between 9 and 12 years but can vary depending on the individual.
Synonyms
child, pre-adolescent, youthful.
Examples of usage
- The prepubescent boys exhibited a distinct lack of body hair.
- At a prepubescent age, children often show great curiosity about sexuality.
- The study focused on prepubescent girls' social development.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term comes from Latin roots where 'pre-' means 'before' and 'pubescent' refers to the stage of development marked by sexual maturity.
- It began to be widely used in educational and psychological contexts in the 20th century to describe children approximately ages 6 to 12.
Developmental Psychology
- During this phase, children may experience significant cognitive and emotional growth, setting the foundation for adolescent behavior.
- Social interactions often change as prepubescent children start forming same-gender friendships more deeply compared to earlier play-based relationships.
Health and Education
- Prepubescent children typically need a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support their rapid physical and mental development.
- Education approaches during this stage often emphasize emotional intelligence and social skills as children begin to navigate complex social environments.
Cultural Representation
- Films and books frequently portray prepubescent characters on adventures, highlighting their curiosity and quest for identity before the complexities of adolescence.
- Many childhood rites of passage, such as first days of school or team sports, occur during this crucial developmental period.
Translations
Translations of the word "prepubescent" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pré-púbere
🇮🇳 पूर्व किशोर
🇩🇪 vorpubertär
🇮🇩 pra-remaja
🇺🇦 передпідлітковий
🇵🇱 przedpokwitaniowy
🇯🇵 思春期前の
🇫🇷 prépubère
🇪🇸 prepubescente
🇹🇷 ergenlik öncesi
🇰🇷 사춘기 전의
🇸🇦 قبل البلوغ
🇨🇿 předpubertální
🇸🇰 predpubertálny
🇨🇳 青春期前的
🇸🇮 predpubertetno
🇮🇸 fyrir kynþroska
🇰🇿 пубертатқа дейінгі
🇬🇪 პუბლიკურად ადრე
🇦🇿 pubertatdankənar
🇲🇽 prepubescente