How do you define MATURITY?

[Philo]

How do you define MATURITY?

I don't.

Obviously, I have my own unique criteria that I use to judge whether I think someone is mature, but it's not something I'd feel right putting into words. It works out as a "I know it when I see it" kind of thing.

It's like IQ tests and intelligence. I don't necessarily see cause and effect there.

 

[Spot's Meow]

There are many aspects to it that I can't really define without thinking about it more in depth, but I'd say that one aspect of it is empathy. Being able to put yourself in another person's position and understand how they are feeling and why. An immature person wouldn't even bother with this, it wouldn't even occur to them to think about the other person's feelings. So I guess that being immature means you are mostly selfish. Mature people can think of themselves too, but they don't think ONLY of themselves, and they recognize that sometimes it's okay to "lose out" on what you want for the benefit of the whole.

You know I'm finding it a lot easier to define immature rather than mature. Being mature is really having a lack of those immature qualities I suppose. An immature person would be selfish, gossipy, not weary of danger (doing stupid things because they think they're indestructible), doesn't know when to keep their mouth shut, is vindictive and vengeful, is unwilling to face or solve difficult problems (would rather be in denial or let others fix everything for them), and has little empathy for others. Being mature would be the opposite of these.

 

[Philo]

Thinking about it some more, I have to add that I consider maturity to be something of degree. I'm not sure that I can say someone is cut and dried "mature", but I can say that they're more or less mature, within certain categories.

I also suppose that if I were to really define maturity, it would simply be a list of people I consider mature, and not, and why (in line with the above).

 

[Galactus]

It's when you stop caring about whether other people think you're mature or not. This isn't a snotty answer, I mean this seriously. When you're confidant enough in yourself that you go forward without worrying if some person you hardly know thinks you're mature then you're mature.

Not that it really matters, though.

Actually I would say that is the opposite of maturity.

 

[Pingfah]

It's when you stop caring about whether other people think you're mature or not. This isn't a snotty answer, I mean this seriously. When you're confidant enough in yourself that you go forward without worrying if some person you hardly know thinks you're mature then you're mature.

Not that it really matters, though.

Actually I would say that is the opposite of maturity.

So, you think maturity is worrying all the time whether people you hardly know think you are mature or not?

I'm not sure I agree with Sidious, but his reply makes a lot more sense than yours

And anyway, you are both wrong. Maturity is when you have all your tattoos painfully lasered off to prove how mature you are, apparently.

 

[Deckerd]

Visible nostril hairs.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Maturity is a combination of many things; a strong ego, self love, good judgment, empathy, compassion, wisdom et cetera. My own feeling is that maturity is a sort of graduation where you become your own parental figure. I don't think that many people reach true maturity.

 

[Philo]

^ I like that answer. I also agree with your final point. I've often said that I don't believe people truly become 'adults' until they die.

 

[Spot's Meow]

It's when you stop caring about whether other people think you're mature or not. This isn't a snotty answer, I mean this seriously. When you're confidant enough in yourself that you go forward without worrying if some person you hardly know thinks you're mature then you're mature.

Not that it really matters, though.

Actually I would say that is the opposite of maturity.

So, you think maturity is worrying all the time whether people you hardly know think you are mature or not?

I'm not sure I agree with Sidious, but his reply makes a lot more sense than yours

And anyway, you are both wrong. Maturity is when you have all your tattoos painfully lasered off to prove how mature you are, apparently.

I think they're both right. Being overly confident and not considering how your actions or words will be perceived by others can be immature. But on the other end, caring too deeply about what others think to the point of getting emotionally upset about it often is also immature. You have to strike a balance between the two...consider what other people will think of your actions/words, but don't base everything you do on pleasing others.

 

[cultcross]

The ability to act selflessly. This isn't the only sign of maturity, by a long shot, but in my opinion it is one of the most important. When "I wanted it that way" stops being a decent justification for an action that hurts or is inconsiderate towards someone else, you're on the road to being mature. This doesn't just include consciously acting to hurt someone else - not even many immature people do that - but also includes not stopping to think 'how will this affect others?'
A good example is constantly playing loud music that can be heard outside your house. Most of the time, there's no malice there. You just haven't thought about how your action affects others. It's that 'stop and think' moment that is maturity, imho.

 

[Mallory]

Mallory.

Well, I've fooled at least one person.

 

[Wheo]

I really think it's more of an overall behavioural issue than anything else. I mean, I know people who will cosplay as Kingdom Hearts characters and Caramelldansen as Anime Conventions that are extremely mature individuals. Similarly, I know professors with PhDs who are completely childish (for example, involving themselves in a petty dispute with high school students, or something).

Also, one can act immature without necessarily being immature (this is not a sad attempt at profundity, I'm simply stating my belief on the issue ^_^.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

To me, Maturity means being reasonable and responsible.

Includes:

Attaining your own home (if possible), paying your bills, being 'money-wise' and self-sufficient.
Being rationable in disputes.
Understanding others' space and values - ref CC's point about loud music ~ maturity is not putting your bad mood out on others.
Realising that sometimes it's better just to shut up rather than be petty ~ they will learn eventually.
Realising that sometimes thing don't go your way so the best thing to do is find another way to do it, and absolutely NO SULKING
Oh and if you want true maturity you can add gravitas points by sending me thousands of BBS points

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ I love Emo Phillips.

^ I like that answer. I also agree with your final point. I've often said that I don't believe people truly become 'adults' until they die.

And they realize it one second before they go: "Hey, I made it. Ack."

 

[NickInABox]

Inspired by the latest tattoo thread, where I was told that I am not a mature person, I am trying to figure out exactly what makes someone "mature." I actually consider myself to be very mature. Yes, I occasionally talk about childish things and start threads about poop, but I don't think that in any way makes me immature.

So what makes a person mature?

Not being my mother.

 

[Daneel]

Difficult to say... I think there are many layers and forms of maturity. A person can be mature in some ways and immature in others. Myself, for example: I like to think I'm reasonably mature intellectually and in the way I treat others. When it comes to being "wise" (so to speak) and responsible, however, I'm not always as mature as I'd like to be.

I find it easier to define immaturity in a more general sense. Basically, if someone behaves childishly and/or like a moron, then I would describe them as "immature".

 

[Meredith]

I really think it's more of an overall behavioural issue than anything else. I mean, I know people who will cosplay as Kingdom Hearts characters and Caramelldansen as Anime Conventions that are extremely mature individuals.

Dance-ooo-dah-no-Caramel-dancin'!!!!!

 

[Stiletto]

Using someone's driveway or sidewalk instead of crossing their grass.

 

[auntiehill]

Maturity is an approach to life and other people, in general.

It's putting off instant gratification, knowing it will pay off more greatly or for more people in the future. For instance, not quitting the job you hate so that your family will have food on the table.

It's seeing the big picture and thinking about the consequences of your actions. For instance, when you're annoyed with your child, you don't hit him just to satisfy your own anger.

Maturity is understanding there are many ways to look at an issue, and not simply vilify people for being different or having different opinions.