The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl The New Puberty
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Aug 26, 2026 
Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, clinical psychologist, author, and mom who studies puberty, talks about why puberty now starts earlier and how culture and the pandemic changed timing. She outlines normal signs for kids today and contrasts risks girls and boys face. Practical scripts and ways to reduce anxiety, handle awkward talks, and repair missteps are highlighted.
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Puberty Is Happening Years Earlier
- Puberty is occurring earlier now; eight for girls and nine for boys is within the early side of today's average.
- Sheryl explains childhood's latent calm is shrinking so parents face physical changes in younger kids they may not expect.
Puberty Age Shift Accelerated By Recent Years
- Since the 1980s the average age of puberty has shifted younger by about three months per decade, accelerating recently.
- Sheryl says the pandemic amplified trends and made this an observable public-health concern for endocrinologists and psychologists.
Early Puberty Raises Bigger Risks For Girls
- Early puberty carries different social and mental-health risks for girls versus boys.
- Sheryl lists higher depression, anxiety, earlier sexualization and risky behaviors for girls while boys often receive praise for early development.
