Which of the following is a disadvantage for late maturer females?

• A. More time to prepare
• B. Bullying and teasing
• C. Lower self-esteem
• D. Improved mood

Answer: (B)

The concept here is how puberty timing influences social experiences in adolescence. When girls mature later than their peers, they often appear less physically developed during early adolescence. That can make them targets for negative peer actions—teasing or bullying—because they don’t fit the same social cues of development that their classmates notice. This direct social harm is a clear disadvantage, impacting feelings of belonging, safety, and emotional well-being.

Other options reflect factors that aren’t inherently negative or aren’t as directly tied to late maturation. More time to prepare is not a disadvantage. While late maturation can sometimes relate to lower self-esteem or mood issues, the specific, immediate disadvantage highlighted by this context is encountering bullying and teasing from peers.