Genital in relation to somatic maturation

In: Journal of biosocial science: JBS, Band 10, Heft S5, S. 5-14

Abstract

Before relating somatic growth and maturation to genital maturation, we should present a concept of growth that is sometimes a little difficult to conceive. The most important basis in studying human growth is the fact that it is a continuum, and does not start at birth, but at conception. This continuum rarely moves at a constant speed. We are so used to thinking in terms of size attained: the average measure of head circumference at 3 months of age in health, for example. Yet to consider growth as movement leads us to think in terms of velocity; that is, how fast, or slowly, is an individual child growing.