Legal Definitions - puberty

Puberty is a stage of physical development when a person's body starts to change and develop secondary sexual characteristics. This usually happens during adolescence and makes it possible for a person to reproduce.

In females, the beginning of puberty is marked by the first menstrual period, called menarche. In males, puberty is marked by the growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice, and an increase in muscle mass.

Historically, the age of puberty was also used to determine when a person could legally enter into a binding marriage. In English common law, girls could marry at age 12 and boys at age 14. In French civil law, girls had to be at least 15 and boys at least 18 to marry. However, underage spouses had the power to void the marriage.

For example, a 13-year-old girl who starts to develop breasts and gets her first period is going through puberty. This means that her body is preparing for the possibility of reproduction.