Scientists are discovering the real reasons for the hell of adolescence, writes Vivienne Parry
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Something very strange happens at puberty, when truckloads of hormones begin arriving by the day. Children who were once sweet, helpful and good fun to be around turn, almost overnight, into grunting creatures, who wear nothing but black, lie abed until noon and consume 5,000-calorie snacks (followed immediately by saying that they are still hungry).
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It is tempting - indeed it has always been assumed - that such behaviours are entirely hormone-driven. After all, aren't teenagers hormones on wheels? From all that I have said so far, it seems logical. But links between hormone levels and poor behaviour in teenagers are either weak, or non-existent.