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!
#144
"Effectively working in a group even though you hate most of your groupmates."
Report
6points
#145
"Not getting upset when someone has the same outfit as you at a party."
Report
5points
#147
"When 'You need to be more mature' isn't your first defense if things aren't going your way."
Report
5points
#149
"White crystals on cheddar cheese or brown spots on banana. They're just ripe enough to consume."
Report
5points
#151
"Being able to discuss menstruation (as a male). It was when I was able to ask my girlfriend confidently about it, after being an ignorant teen throughout secondary school, I realized it's really not that bad."
Report
5points
