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choices. Some days you may be brimming with confidence and other days feel unsure of who you are or what you want to do with your life.
    Self-esteem
    We all need to develop our self-esteem. This means that we value ourselves all the time and not just when we get good marks in a test, are looking slim, or are showing off our “coolest” clothes or possessions. It means having realistic expectations of yourself, praising yourself when you put in effort and do something well, and making allowances when you make mistakes or experience failure or rejection.

Dance is a great way of expressing yourself and making the most of being young.
Should I join in?
Dear Agony Aunt,
The crowd I got in with at my new school all drink alcohol when they are hanging out after school, even though we are only 15. They keep offering it to me, and when I say “No,” they just laugh at me and call me a lightweight. I am worried that they won’t want me to be in the gang any more if I don’t join in. What do I tell them?
Danyl, 15
Dear Danyl ,
As you go through puberty, if friends no longer want your company just because you won’t act the same as they do, they are not really friends in the first place. Making you do something you don’t feel comfortable with is a form of bullying, however subtle. Shrug off the name-calling and tell them that you can make your own decisions. Remember that you will be happier if you don’t let yourself be pushed around .
    Peer pressure
    Peer pressure can be a strong influence during puberty. Your peers can put pressure on you to behave in a certain way, such as taking up smoking or drinking alcohol. They can also make fun of you or make you feel bad if you are not keeping up with the latest clothes, gadgets, or other possessions. You may feel worried that if you don’t join in, they will see you as “uncool” or childish. But it is important to realize that making a stand for yourself, and not just going along with the crowd and seeking their approval, is far more mature and shows that you have self-esteem.
    Puberty involves lots of changes. Ups and downs are a normal part of it and will pass. All of this is part of the process of reaching young adulthood, which brings greater freedoms and responsibilities, and new choices.

Taking part in group activities can be a good way of building self-esteem.

Glossary
    adrenal glands a pair of glands just above the kidneys that produce hormones anemia a condition in which not enough oxygen is carried in the blood due to a lack of red blood cells. It can make you tired, faint, and breathless.
    bacteria tiny living organisms
    calories (kilo calories/kilojoules) the measure of energy in food or drink clitoris small highly sensitive part of the female vulva between the labia minora cyst a closed sac having a distinct membrane that keeps it separate from nearby tissue depression condition of long-term emotional dejection and withdrawal dermabrasion a surgical procedure that uses abrasives to remove scarring and other skin imperfections diabetes a condition in which the body is unable to regulate the level of sugar in the blood eating disorder a damaged or inappropriate relationship with food, resulting in a failure to eat healthily ejaculate to release semen
    estrogen female sex hormone
    genes the units of heredity by which characteristics pass from parent to child genitals sexual organs
    groin the area where the upper thighs meet the trunk of the body, including the external genitals heredity the passing on of genetic characteristics from one generation to the next immune system the body’s natural defenses against illnesses and disease kilojoule a unit of energy equal to 1,000 joules—4,184 joules is equivalent to one food calorie labia the liplike external female genitalia (the labia majora and labia minora) laxatives medicines that stimulate the bowels
    masturbation touching your own sexual parts for pleasure menopause time in a woman’s life when her monthly periods