What Does Being Mature Really Mean?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of maturity, exploring its meaning and implications in various contexts. Participants share their perspectives on what constitutes maturity, including personal qualities, behaviors, and societal perceptions. The conversation touches on theoretical aspects, personal anecdotes, and reflections on maturity in relation to age and decision-making.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that maturity is relative and can be defined by qualities such as responsibility, thoughtfulness, and honesty.
  • Others argue that maturity may not necessarily correlate with age, as individuals can exhibit mature behavior at a young age.
  • A few participants express skepticism about the connection between certain qualities and maturity, questioning the definitions provided.
  • One participant defines maturity as the capacity for reason and willpower, emphasizing critical thinking.
  • Another perspective highlights that maturity involves knowing how to act appropriately in different circumstances.
  • Some participants reflect on personal experiences where they encountered immature behavior from older individuals, suggesting that maturity is not guaranteed with age.
  • There are humorous exchanges about the nature of maturity, with some participants playfully challenging the seriousness of the topic.
  • One participant posits that maturity is more about the choices one makes regarding their character rather than a fixed state of being.
  • Another adds that self-reflection is crucial in assessing one's own maturity, rather than relying solely on external judgments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion contains multiple competing views on the definition and implications of maturity, with no clear consensus reached among participants.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about maturity, including its dependence on context and individual perspective. There are unresolved questions regarding the relationship between maturity and age, as well as the qualities that define a mature person.

Smasherman
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I've been called a few things in my day (not a lot of 'em, but hey...), and "mature" seems to be a common one. So, I ask, what does it actually mean to be "mature"?
 
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My age; whatever that happens to be at the moment.

Usually people are referring to your maturity level as opposed to your age. For example, if you are a very responsible person at age 16, you might be considered mature on that basis. You might be considered mature as a function of your interests. You might be considered mature based on your demeanor... So I think its a term relative to the context; if there is one.
 
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maturity is when you realize that making thread asking about it is immature
 
Isn't it past your bedtime yommama?
 
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?
 
1. not being too influenced by whatever is happening around you and just do the right thing!:bugeye:
2. not commenting on what yu have no idea about.
Therefore, I shouldn't post in your thread! :biggrin:
 
Smasherman said:
I've been called a few things in my day (not a lot of 'em, but hey...), and "mature" seems to be a common one. So, I ask, what does it actually mean to be "mature"?
Probably being responsible is a common meaning. Along with that goes being deliberate, thoughtful, considerate, dependable, sincere, respectful, honest, using careful consideration and sound or good judgement, and basically being a decent person. Lisa!'s first definition would apply.
 
thoughtful, considerate, sincere...?

HONEST?

It would seem that you feel that there are many immature, old, business tycoons?

I had one employer who blatently tried to shame me for my naivety, for being honest; and over nothing of consequence no less.
 
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Though these are certainly good qualities to have, I don't understand the connection to maturity.
 
  • #10
tribdog said:
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?
Yeah, maybe he's having those bladder control issues again.
 
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  • #11
Maturity, I vaguely define as having:

*Capacity for reason (in other words-->critical thinking), and
*Willpower (to act upon the reason<--as concluded from that 'critical thinking')
 
  • #12
tribdog said:
he sure seems a bit pissy lately doesn't he?


Maybe it's cos you were mean to him in the "thread killer" thread. Or cos I :smile:ed at it.

Maturity makes things less fun. It is something I lack. I still run around my flat making monkey noises.

I suppose maturity is a measure of how adult you are. But how do you judge that? Who was the most mature person ever, who is the benchmark for everyone else's maturity?

Anyway, immaturity is better. It has become my new way of meeting people. To quote Seinfeld (seeing as FredGarvin did in another thread)

"So, do you date immature men?"
"Almost exclusively."

If it works for him, it has to work for me. :biggrin:
 
  • #13
It's not about mature or immature, it's mainly about affection one has and it never I blive apprears in those who don't even feel or understand what is a true affection for even a thing !
 
  • #14
yomamma said:
maturity is when you realize that making thread asking about it is immature
Who's yommama, btw?:-p
 
  • #15
Lisa! said:
Who's yommama, btw?:-p

I don't know, I was just spawned in a pool with my brothers and sisters. No, wait, that's tadpoles.

Maturity is not hijacking someone else's thread! :biggrin:
 
  • #16
jimmy p said:
I don't know, I was just spawned in a pool with my brothers and sisters. No, wait, that's tadpoles.

Maturity is not hijacking someone else's thread! :biggrin:
Yep! And it's not also mature to call someone else immature even if he is!:-p
 
  • #17
Lisa! said:
Yep! And it's not also mature to call someone else immature even if he is!:-p


Well it CERTAINLY isn't mature to point out that calling someone else immature when he is, is immature. :-p
 
  • #18
fake chris, why are you still talking to like that ?
 
  • #19
Who is fake chris?
 
  • #20
well, being argumentative alos couldn't be mature. So I guess I'm out of here!
 
  • #21
Lisa! said:
well, being argumentative alos couldn't be mature. So I guess I'm out of here!


:smile: :smile: :smile:

I was only playing around!

which is immature in itself.

Anyway, back on topic. Maturity is knowing the correct way to act in the correct circumstances.
 
  • #22
Ivan Seeking said:
thoughtful, considerate, sincere...?

HONEST?
I was reflecting on the qualities of a mature or developed person. One could refer to 'mature' as meaning that one has come of a certain age, i.e. seasoned or experienced.

Thoughtfulness and consideration, as well as the capacity for critical thinking (a good point made by bomba923), come from achieving a certain level of development. I would also add the quality of discipline, which goes with the willpower also mentioned by bomba923.

Ivan Seeking said:
It would seem that you feel that there are many immature, old, business tycoons?
In some, perhaps many, cases - yes! Donald Trump comes to mind as an example.

Ivan Seeking said:
I had one employer who blatantly tried to shame me for my naivety, for being honest; and over nothing of consequence no less.
Not very mature behavior on the part of that employer.
 
  • #23
Interesting. For me, this is more a matter of choosing what kind of person one will be rather than an issue of maturity. I believe that most adults make mature decisions to be either good people, or bad people. With every choice that we make we define who and what we are.
 
  • #24
Ivan Seeking said:
Interesting. For me, this is more a matter of choosing what kind of person one will be rather than an issue of maturity. I believe that most adults make mature decisions to be either good people, or bad people. With every choice that we make we define who and what we are.
I more or less agree with that. One chooses to be what or who one is - certainly.
 
  • #25
Astronuc said:
I more or less agree with that. One chooses to be what or who one is - certainly.


However you aren't the judge of your maturity. It is other people looking at your actions and deciding for themselves.
 
  • #26
jimmy p said:
However you aren't the judge of your maturity. It is other people looking at your actions and deciding for themselves.
I am my own judge. I often reflect on how I behave, who I am in the world, and how I and my actions affect those around me and world as a whole.

Certainly, I cannot control how other people judge me, nor do I wish to do so. I would hope I am judged fairly, as I give others the benefit of doubt.

Another characteristic I would add to the list is - diligent - characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.
 
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  • #27
Thank you for your posts (all of them, whether informative or entertaining). It seems that maturity is just acting with forethought. Regardless, I'm not going to dwell on the definition anymore, as it's just a label. Useful for quick information bits or manipulation, but non-material.
 

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