Boys grow about a foot taller between 10 and 16, and most people's arm span is about the same as their height, so the overall increased reach is significant. I was taller than average after a huge growth spurt, and I remember realizing how many things I could jump up to touch that weren't in the realm of possibility before that. You better believe I was jumping up and touching stuff.
The behavior doesn't stop but it does start with the crazy growth spurt in height that is pretty unique to teenage boys (AMAB). Suddenly things that were way out of reach become reachable, like in the course of 6 months.
The pull cord to the attic hatch in the hallway ceiling. Who else is with me? When I could reach that without jumping, I knew that day that I was a man (I was twelve).
I took so much of the popcorn off the ceiling my mom got upset.
Kinda surprised by all the joint pain ITT, especially knees. Age alone doesn’t do this.
Knees are remarkably hard-wearing joints, capable of continued high mileage well into old age. I hope y’all are using those knees so you can keep using them for many years to come!
As a short guy, this was not something I got to take part in a lot of the time and now that my ankle is fucked I'm not even going to chance jumping or running anymore.
I've always considered more of a "can I jump high enough to reach that? I bet I can reach that." The tapping just adds to the satisfaction of a success.