Biologically it's possible to indicate the approximate age when a person reaches full physical maturity. However, emotional maturity is more challenging to define or distinguish. While physical and emotional maturity are subjective, typically, a person reaches physical maturity before becoming emotionally mature. For example, it's likely that a teenager would be physically mature but not emotionally mature enough to become a parent.
In fact, one study showed that the average man doesn't reach full emotional maturity until age 43, while women mature by age 32. That's an 11-year difference! Yet, again, the topic is very subjective. And while there are no tools (yet) available to determine the exact age one becomes 'ripe,' there are so-called signs of maturity. Similarly to how psychological conditions are diagnosed via symptoms, so can full psychological maturation be determined by signs of emotional maturity.
While signs of maturity in a man and woman may differ, gendering signs of maturity is irrelevant. So what exactly are those cues that a person has reached full emotional growth? When a Reddit user came in with the same question, numerous people chimed in in a Reddit thread sharing their personal experiences and the various signs of a mature man or woman.
Below, we've gathered some of their most upvoted answers sharing signs of a mature person. Do you agree with any of these statements? Which behavior or state of mind would you consider a sign of maturity? At what stage of emotional maturity would you consider yourself to be right now? Let us know!
#103
"Opening your mouth to say something, pausing, then thinking better of it."
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8points
#104
"This happened a few years ago. I saw a spider on the ground outside and I was about to kill it but then I realized there was no need to and this spider was a living thing so I let it be. To me, that was a big sign that I had matured."
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8points
#107
"Doing something without being told, because you know it's the right thing to do."
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8points
#109
"Acknowledging that some of the problems you are dealing with aren't unique to you."
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8points
#112
"Having the humility to avoid needlessly talking about your accomplishments simply because an opportunity to do so comes up in conversation. If I only find out how good you are at something through another person telling me, and you've never bragged about it to me, I'll be impressed."
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7points
#114
"Making room when someone is trying to move into your lane in traffic."
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7points
#117
"Knowing that you're able to have ice cream for dinner but choosing a healthy, balanced meal instead."
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7points
