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!
#121
"When you are presented with the option of the better choice or the better story, you decide to go with the better choice."
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7points
#122
"When someone tells you things you already know, you don't have to say 'I know that already.'"
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7points
#124
"When you start to like the outside of an Oreo better than the inside."
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7points
#127
"Learning to appreciate and care for what you already have, not constantly strive for the next thing you want."
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7points
#129
"My friend and I had a very adult moment when we had a 20 minute conversation about dish soap."
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7points
#137
"Acting with confidence doing something, especially in a leadership position, when you have no idea what to do."
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6points
