At which Tanner stage do males first show a small amount of pubic hair?

In Tanner staging, which is a system used to assess the sexual maturity of children and adolescents, males first begin to show a small amount of pubic hair at Tanner stage II. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 11 and 12 years, marking the onset of pubertal changes.

At Tanner stage I, there are no pubic hair developments; the individual is considered prepubescent. It is at stage II that the first signs of puberty appear, including the development of fine, straight pubic hair along with testicular enlargement. This characteristic signifies the beginning of androgen production and subsequent changes associated with male puberty.

Stages III and IV involve further development of pubic hair and genitalia, but the initial appearance of hair specifically marks the transition into Tanner stage II. Understanding this developmental framework is crucial for recognizing the physical maturation process during adolescence.