You’re in the locker room, everybody’s getting changed after gym class, and you’re overcome with embarrassment.
You think your body’s weird. If you’re a girl, maybe you think your breasts are too small. Or lopsided. Or your stomach’s too big. If you’re a guy, you could be ashamed about that acne all over your back. Or that the guy next to you is all hairy, and you’re not. Or that you’re not as “well-hung” as your friends.
Reality Check on Locker Room Lore
Plenty of other kids in the locker room are likely feeling embarrassed about their bodies, too. It’s normal for teens to feel self-conscious. Three things to keep in mind:
- Some things that might bug you about your body — acne, body odor, too much hair, too little hair — are just part of being a growing teen. You’re not alone, by a long shot!
- Everyone’s body develops at different times and at different rates. Some kids go through puberty young, others when they’re older. So you may look way different than the guy at the locker next to you. It’s tough, but try to be patient about it.
Common worries
For guys, penis size is a big concern. Lots of guys wonder if they’re too small or too big. What’s “normal”? There’s a wide range. For growing teenagers, the average erect penis size is anywhere between 2 and 5 inches. And that’s just an average; depending how far along you are into puberty, you could be bigger or smaller.
Some guys worry about other things — like whether or not it’s OK that one of their testicles hangs lower than the other. The answer? Yes, it’s OK. But if you’re worried about it, you can have a doctor check you out.
Girls have their own worries, like one breast is bigger than the other. The fact is — even though you may feel embarrassed about it — it really is normal. Most people’s bodies are assymetrical, and not just when it comes to breasts or testicles. One foot may be slightly bigger than another, or one leg…you get the idea!
Body changes in girls typically happen anywhere from 10-14, while for boys changes begin later, around 12, and can last through the late teens.
Nudity and You
Historically, this country has a puritanical streak running through it. That means as a nation, Americans have more hang-ups about nudity and we’re typically very straightlaced and proper. Discretion is a virtue on the cultural value side of things, even if the media glorifies sexuality. Really, it can be confusing. But in Europe and other countries, the body is the most natural thing on earth, and on display not just in TV commercials but also in spas and even beaches. So the human body is nothing to be ashamed of; your birthday suit is how you came into this world.
This article has been reviewed by BodiMojo health expert Tara Cousineau, PhD.
