Simple: The Bodycheck articles often used numbered stages of development. For boys, Tanner stages (a real medical scale) were repurposed into 5 phases of puberty. But Bravo readers turned it into a competitive sport. Boys would scan the penis development chart (stage 1 to 5) and proudly or nervously declare their number.
Dr. Sommer was not a real doctor. He was a persona (originally created by journalist Martin Goldstein) who answered burning questions about masturbation, first kisses, wet dreams, and the horrors of gym class changing rooms. The column was revolutionary because it treated teen sexuality without panic or shame. bravo dr sommer bodycheck thats me 11
meant nothing yet. “Stage 4” meant getting there. “Stage 5” meant fully developed. But the magic number was 11 ? Wait—that doesn’t fit the 1-5 scale. Ah, here’s the twist: The actual Bravo Bodycheck used a more detailed system in some issues, going up to stage 11 for overall pubescent maturity (including body hair, voice change, and genital development). Simple: The Bodycheck articles often used numbered stages