Stage Three: Catholic Perspective

Humans are different to the rest of creation. We have a body (like the animals) but also have a spiritual soul (which allows us to love, choose, create, think, imagine, reflect). Only humans are made in God's image and likeness (Gen 1:27).

Puberty is a time when changes start taking place in us. These changes happen at different times for different people. During puberty, a boy will start becoming a man and changes occur in his body and a girl will start becoming a woman and changes occur in her body. The boys body will get bigger, his voice might get deeper and he might start to get more hair on his body. For a girl, her body will get bigger, she might get more hair on her body and changes start taking place in her body, which might allow her to have a special place in her body for a baby, when she is older.

Due to us having a body and a spiritual soul, we not only change physically as we go through puberty but also socially and emotionally (see Feelings and emotions). We might have mood swings, feel confused and overwhelmed, we start to thinking about the opposite sex in a different way and often we become really self conscious about ourselves.

As we go through these changes, it is really important that we talk to God about our situation, as we need to nourish our spiritual souls with God's love. In addition to talking to God, it is crucial that we talk to your parents about our feelings and situation. Also, we could talk to other family members, our teacher or counsellor at school and our friends.

God has not made us like animals. Humans have a spiritual soul and therefore also have emotions. God has made our bodies in such an amazing way that our bodies can tell us many things. It is natural for us to be happy, sad, nervous, excited, frustrated etc. It is important to understand when we have different feelings and emotions. People can show their emotions and feelings by crying, laughing, yelling, being quiet, running away, pushing. It is through our bodies that we feel and show our emotions.

Our emotions and feelings can help us understand a situation and react in the best way. Sometimes it is really important to listen to our bodies and emotions and act straight away. If our tummy is rumbling, then we should eat, if we have butterflies in our belly and feel unsafe, then we should go to a friend or family member, if we are being yelled out and shouted at by another child who is angry then we should leave and find help.

Appropriate emotional responses can also help friendships. Jesus reminds us to 'love our neighbour as ourself' (Mk 12:31).

What is love?

'Love is to will the good of the other' (CCC 1766). In other words, to choose the best for the other person. If we see someone hurt or crying, our emotional response should be to feel empathy for that person. If we choose to help that person by acting on our emotions, then a friendship could be fostered.

Other times it is important not to act straight way. If we feel frustrated and feel like pushing someone, we should not push but maybe go for a walk. If we feel like running around in the class, it is important not to run around but wait for recess or lunch to run around. We can choose to wait at times, as this is a better way of acting.

Emotions and feelings is something that God has designed for all humans. It doesn't matter if you are a boy, girl, or come from a particular culture or tradition, we all have emotions. It is really important to talk to trusted people about how you can best express your emotions and feelings.

Mobile phones and social media can be a wonderful tool for communicating with other people. However, we must use these tools for the good of others. We have to be honest with our time on social media and mobile phones and ensure we are not spending too much time on these devices. Time should be spent at home, completing homework, talking with our families, playing in the backyard and reading books. It is not healthy to spend too much time on phones, computers and the television.

Jesus wants us to be a gift to other people. The respectful way we communicate with people when they are present, should be followed when we communicate with people on social media and mobile phones. It is tempting to be more daring and less sensitive to other people's feelings when we communicate in a virtual way, as they aren't physically present, but others still can be hurt emotionally if we say or write something that does not respect their dignity, as a child of God.

Communicating wth someone in person, is the best way people can communicate because each person can see each other's emotions. But when communicating online or via text messages on the phone, people's emotions cannot be seen and misunderstandings can easily take place. It is really important that we always ask permission of our parents when using the phone or internet at home and to be very careful when communicating with each other on mobile phones and social media.