How Does a 15-Year-Old Boy Typically Develop?

At this age, boys continue to grow in height, and they

• Need excess sleep.
• Get taller and more muscular.
• Eat a lot and are almost always hungry.
• Can be clumsy because they are growing.

Sexual changes

• Bigger Adam's apple
• Pubic, underarm, and facial hair
• Deeper voice that sometimes cracks
• Larger penis and testicles that start to produce sperm

Your teen's thought process becomes complex by 15 years of age. Some of the changes include the following:

• Starting to make their own decision
• Developing a sense of right and wrong
• Understanding the long-term effects of their decisions
• Developing a passion for something and cultivating deeper interests
• Starting to set a goal for the future
• Appreciating other's opinions
• Developing the ability to solve problems
• Successfully juggling school, outside activities, and work
• Frequently challenging and questioning school and parental rules
• Exploring new music, jobs, religion, political issues, sexuality, and social causes and experimenting with clothing fashion

Your son might search for an identity -- a sense of who they are. They want to be more independent and in control. During this age, they may also do the following:

• Give preference to friends over family.
• Spend less time with family and more time with family or alone.
• Be excited and at the same time overwhelmed by the possibilities for their future.
• Want to try new things such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
• Have strong sexual urges and may become sexually active.
• Become more aware of their sexual orientation.
• Get depressed -- but sadness lasting more than 2 weeks is not normal.
• Want to argue more and talk less.
• Start dating.

Most 15-year-old boys are interested in conversing with their friends rather than family members. Most 15-year-old boys can do the following:

• Communicate in an adult fashion.
• Hold appropriate conversations.
• Use more sophisticated communication skills.
• Understand and use sarcasm in their speech.
• Have a liking for text message and social media.
• Find writing or blogging to be a helpful way to express themselves.

As a parent, you can do the following things to help your teen during this time.

• Talk with them about drugs, tobacco, and alcohol.
• Be ready to address their concerns and problems.
• Involve them in setting household rules and schedules.
• Continue talking to them about dating, sex, and the importance of safe sex.
• Encourage them to volunteer and get involved in community activities.
• Set rules about media use.
• Encourage them to get enough sleep and physical activity.
• Talk about body image and self-worth.
• Encourage them to eat healthy foods and be active.
• Compliment them and celebrate their efforts and accomplishments.
• Respect your teen's opinions and listen to them without judging them.
• Respect their need for privacy.
• Support their gender identity and love them.
• Know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and other mental problems.