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In the Do you choose your child's religion or do you accept the religion they choose? thread, it occurred to me that I have a different definition of maturity than a percentage of VR users.

Personally, I would define maturity as distance from selfishness.

I do not mean this as a slight against all sinister path practitioners, but I have noticed myself finding a vast majority of these practitioners to be entirely immature, in my opinion. I realized that this came from my definition of the concept...

so, ignoring the dictionary definition of the word, for the sake of this post, please detail the nuances of your definition of the word, so that I might better understand the difference between my ethics and maturity.

How do you define maturity?

Maturity-Developed, and Settled with means of personal support. no longer solely dependent on parents, or guardians for support. able to conduct ones self responsible, and reasonably. Able to accept consequences for ones actions.

or lack of action.

My definition of maturity is simple and may not cover every aspect of life...but here it is: Maturity - Knowing what to say and when to say it, and how to behave in certain situations. Having respect for other people.

Independent.

To be dependent upon ones own structure of the world, and how they choose to live in accordance with social standards. Ones Level of Maturity if you will, being dependent upon how much one does to ensure the survival of their lively hood.

If one feels that practicing a "sinister path" makes them mature or not. Well that is a path of madness. To walk the path through the roads of hell is not a path that leads to enlightenment for many people. For those who would behave in ways that show insecurity or immaturity, it is upon them only. Not upon the path they walk, nor upon all that walk that path.

To do so, is be lower then low, and like unto every other close minded bigot.

This thread should be closed, in my opinion.

Maturity does not come with age, or with growth. Maturity is not depending on your parents, or on a guardian for means of supporting yourself. Maturity can also be hearing the word 'penis' in health class, and not cracking up.

Someone who does what is necessary to survive without destroying someone else to do it, and is accountable to himself as much as he is to others.

The definitions of maturity thus far are completely astounding... It seems as though a couple of definitive views by our audience have their own purpose or priorities.

Is this thread asking for the semantics of maturity, or a possible definition of it?

My definition is to be able to think with your own mind and take your own decisions. That's part of it.

The other part is independence. I am still working to achieve that completely.

I beg to differ on the independent aspect, since I know a few individuals of whom have been independent for quite some time and yet are the most immature in nature that I have ever come across.

Maturity has that personal etiquette to know the difference between adulthood and childhood. To be energetic when the time calls for it, and when to act like an adult when the time calls for it.

Maturity means to be an adult, in a nutshell. Those of whom do not know the difference between the actions of a child and the actions of an adult have obviously not reached that stage within their lives just yet.

I want to be completely independent to feel an adult, however I disagree with the society's concept that maturity comes from when you live on your own only or like in my country's, when you have children.

Many individuals I know are financially independent but then the way they speak and act is completely immature.

I also can't see as mature those who are of adult age and pretend that their parents buy them the car and house, while they can because they work and earn a good wage, but they pretend to get spoiled by their parents because that's how they were raised.

~Deathnitegirl~ you raise a good point. When I posted that the individual will know when it is time to be the adult rather then the child... This is purely instinctual. If those instincts have not been developed, then that individual may never reach that certain level of maturity.

It is part of the growth process... It does not take a society or a family atmosphere of silver spoon to give the individual any type of awareness.

All it takes is for that individual to come to the grim realization that they need to be their own individuals, not for the sake of living alone as an Independent, but to realize that no matter what... They could live on their own with no further help from others.

Most do realize this fact, since they have developed those instincts. farmers are a constant form of maturity, they go out to feed their flock, maintain the farm then spend time with their families... This is a mature adult. They have those instincts from the get go because of how they were raised.

Unfortunately, as far as suburban life and spoon feeding goes, the kids have it easy compared to the farmers. Thus, the natural way of the spoiled little brat types that think they can live off of their parents until the parents cut the rope.

Those kids then find out what life truly is... Yes, you do have to work for your living, now LIVE with it! Most suburbanites take that for granted which is why society seems to have a fine line between those who live a true life and those who are still stuck within fantasy worlds... Because they have no courage to deal with the real world, its stress and or problems of life.

When they could realize that after a couple of decades from work, they could take a long needed vacation then let it all bleed out from there.. But noooo, they would rather f-off before realizing that they are in the shallow end of the real world. Welcome to fast food, oh child of thine.

Soulshroude... maturity hasn't a thing to do with where you live or as some have mentioned, financial means. The idea that 'suburbanites" are spoiled brats is absolutely ridiculous. Maturity is a state of mind and EVERYONE has their moments of immaturity. A mature person gets up everyday and goes to work, or if they don't have a job has the presence of mind to go out and look for one. A mature adult takes responsibility for their actions.

I wouldn't think that someone who lives with their parents is immature, because then I would include myself.

Neither those who are rich, I wouldn't think they're immature.

I for myself feel the wish to live on my own but at the moment I can't. It's just my personal wish to feel an adult, I am not making it a rule for everyone.

I was called immature because I live with my parents, am single, and was unemployed, because according to society I was unacceptable.

But then, every time I want to take a choice, I take it on my own, I choose what I wear instead of looking on fashion magazines to tell me what should I wear, ignore society's trends because I choose the way I want to live. Prefer to talk about philosophical topics rather than the usual gossip. For these things I feel mature.

As for independence, I was raised to be behave independently and money independent.

My parents made me sleep alone at two years while you still find people who are almost 30, are going to get married soon and still sleep between their parents!

When I was 4, I used to be left alone at home, while you find people who are of adult age who are afraid to stay at home alone.

When I was 14, and had to go to hospital for physiotherapy, I used to go alone.

When I was 16, I went alone looking for a job, at the shops, hotels and restaurants.

Every time I had to go somewhere, even if it meant to be far away from where I live, I go alone, while you still see people who even at adult age, married and whatnot, have to be with their parents anywhere they go. I don't drive, I have to use public transport everywhere, there are more like me, but they don't go anywhere unless their parents give them a lift.

My mother feels sorry for the fact that I don't confide in her, well I was raised independent, I know she cares for me, but I am not able to feel confident with her and ask her for advice.

I am too much used to take decisions on my own. I want to feel free to live my style and have ended relationships because my ex partners wanted to tell me how I live, many people accept that, I don't, I am too much used to be ''free'' even though I have very disciplined parents.

that's my point ~Deathnitegirl~, you seem to have that maturity around you. You don't really need to live with your parents, but you have to. It is called survival, some place to get you on your feet. That helping hand. You realize this. The difference between you and them is the fact that you do realize it, they seem to take it for granted.

Thanks, it also effects the way you get raised.

In my country people are very family orientated.

In other countries when people reach the legal adult age, parents tend to encourage them to be independent, here many parents think it's a disrespect to live on your own if you're unmarried or else get depressed when their grown up children marry and live on their own.

Then that's why certain adults still can't take decisions on their own.

I am not saying to never get advice, because no person is an island, and many times people feel in doubt and usually parents give good advices, but I see people who have to ask their mother for every thing they want to do, anything.

I find that strange considering I never asked her anything.

Hmmm, being left home alone at the age of 4 is not teaching maturity, it is child neglect. Living with your parents, for a time, as an adult because you're having tough times is not a sign of immaturity. We all go through rough spots time to time and need a hand up. However having the presence of mind to do what you got to do in order to better your situation and get yourself back on your feet, is being a mature person.

In fact I don't like it that I was left alone, but my parents both worked and my grandma was getting old and she says I was too hyper to handle.

In fact I still remember the sadness I used to feel when I used to see the other kids accompanied by their mothers, while me with my father who left me alone afterward to go to work.

The good thing about it, I guess my mental independence.

Bad thing about it, my loneliness, even though I could watch anime in my room so I had company in a way, but still at that age a child is very attached to her parents so would prefer to spend her time with her parents.

Heh...that's life.

Mental independence??? At that young of an age? I don't think so. That young of a mind hasn't the capacity

No meaning that by the time I developed my mental independence, even though I can say mine was already developing at young age, at 11 I was already asking questions that usually 11 year olds don't.

Maturity....

Growth, Acceptance and Practical Use of all things sought without the need to be age or gender specific to the one seeking a better understanding of anything they themselves reach for.

I still don't believe that maturity has anything to do with whether or not someone is financially independent or living on their own. Surely those things could affect their view on life, and in turn completely change the things they value, but would it really have that much of an effect on how they act?
I still say that maturity is knowing how to behave in certain situations. It's knowing how to accept someone's opinion gracefully even if you disagree. Maybe it's having the ability to have an intelligent debate without resorting to crude behavior or saying things just for the "shock value".

Well I can see it meaning two things.
firstly to reach an age where you are now an adult. This usually comes around when you can vote, drink or drive a car. This also differs depending where you live.

secondly to act like an adult.

To me maturity is knowing how to act and respond in an acceptable way in differing situations.

So there is a mental maturity, and a physical maturity?

The two are found to be not always in sync.

There is an attitude an immature person has. It is as if
the world centers around them. They want to appear exceptional, and have people praise them for basic accomplishments. They want everyone to be as astonished as they are about the same trendy ideas they adopt. Nothing mature about that.

Maturity for me, is when an Individual have his or her own individuality, and face any problems that life trow, with dignity and respect. To be mature, is to be wise.

Maturity would be the ability to think for oneself and standing by that decision no matter what happens. Standing up for oneself without coming across as being bias, stubborn or selfish. Taking responsibility for one's actions is another quality of maturity. Not "putting down" another for being "different", not talking in a degrading way and not being intentionally rude or hurtful are signs of maturity to me. And definitely age doesn't matter, but it's quite rare to find someone young, yet mature in this world.

boredom and life which is no fun at all.when ever i'm told to grow up by relatives it always involved making not to read comics and anime which are the only things i like.

My relatives do the same with me, much better anime and comics than gossip and fashion magazines, what's mature about those?

The level of someones maturity, how we done someone as mature of immature is dependent on our individual maturity in the first place.

I think an individual has a capability to act in a different level of maturity or immaturity dependent on the social situation

Some very responsible family providers who are mature in the way they conduct themselves on a day to day basis can find themselves being very immature when provoked into a situation of joking around with others for fun.

They will be perceived by others as immature individual whereas the truth is, they were only immature for a short period of time.

The reverse could easily be defined too.

This is not a simple cut and dried theory

This thread has paid off remarkably in dividends.
I apologize if the initial post was “inciteful” (pun), it was my expression of sinister. *wink*
I meant for interpretations of maturity that did not include the physical definition, which most of you extrapolated sufficiently. Spiritual and Mental maturity are both acceptable topics, although I’d like to refrain from lists of immature actions (or I would have put this in the litterbox.)
I also apologize if I don’t address your point, you can IM me if you wish.

dabbler, way to get the ball rolling, I see several points which append to your posts, thank you.
WallFlower, your comments fit in well with my original paradigm.
Infernalmage , well said, I agree with you completely (except for the thread being closed,) I should, however, have been more mature in my original post *LOL*; however your response was well worth offending you. I hope you comprehend my humour, and did not take offense. If you are still offended after this discussion concludes, by all means I’d love to hear from you.
deathnitegrl , a most succinct definition of mental maturity, and with vvSoulshroudevv , nicely expounded, and clarified.
goddesscirce, I think we all agree with you, as alluded to in some of the previous posts, decision making is part of the maturity process, “suburbanites” are frequently fear motivated (fear of having less than someone else, usually,) also nicely clarified.
DNG and Circe, I think that being left alone definitely produces a maturity. I also was given the illusion of aloneness. A good manager is very capable of knowing what is going and still instilling this level of maturity in it’s staff, via competence, and self assurance, in it’s employees. As a child, I never considered where my parents were, but the early 70’s were a different time and leaving your children alone was not nearly so dangerous. I think as a parent that I would love to let my children be independent, and have the illusion of running free. As a mature parent, I would insure that it was not neglect, as is the case with the majority of today’s youth, and children in North America.
I also think that independence is not synonymous with not-dependant. Interdependence can be mature, especially in a work or personal relationship.

Wallflower, I agree that it is not about financial dependence… IF, a person can say they chose that lifestyle. For example, urban campers, backpackers, sailors, and a plethora of other people who are happy living by their wits and not their means.
TheDoctor, sorry that I disagree… most adults are not mature, they are scared, and act within a medium acceptable tolerance… this is not mature, it is fear. Maturity involves thinking, (assessing choices, and determination) in my opinion.

To summarize, I will quoteSheWolf85
”Maturity would be the ability to think for oneself and standing by that decision no matter what happens. Standing up for oneself without coming across as being bias, stubborn or selfish. Taking responsibility for one's actions is another quality of maturity. Not "putting down" another for being "different", not talking in a degrading way and not being intentionally rude or hurtful are signs of maturity to me. And defintely age doesn't matter, but it's quite rare to find someone young, yet mature in this world.”
Independent/contributing , reliable/dependable, tolerant/trusting, wise/knowledgeable.

Addendum:

Shewolf... it is quite rare to find anyone of any age level that exibits maturity. Adults are simply more capable of masquerading as mature.

Maturity comes from age and experience. Those that are 14 and have studied Wicca by themselves for 5 years makes no sense. someone need to teach and give guidance. That is just one example maple if maturity. Maturity is learned and experienced no play time

i dont believe that anyone really has maturity. we are all just children at heart. even my own aunt joanna once said, "adults are just a bunch of kids who are supposed to know better, but they really dont." that was her definition of maturity- it is a figment of imagination. an illusion if you will. but that is mine and her beliefs, and i expect respect for it as i respect others opinions. but if you really want to get down to it, i think that this post is "immature" in itself. it doesnt matter what other people think. its how you take their thoughts or vise versa. or better yet its just your own definition that you should be concerned about.

Addendum:

Shewolf... it is quite rare to find anyone of any age level that exibits maturity. Adults are simply more capable of masquerading as mature.

Yes, I agree with that, Sir, thank you for that...

First off, I'd like to say that kglitterous is awesome. Your level of respect and maturity, in my opinion, far surpass almost anyone that I've ever seen. Especially on a forum.

In my opinion, and I'm sure, many of your opinions, there are several definitions of maturity. These are how I define them.

Physical Maturity - Physical Maturity is when the body has grown to the point where it can grow no more, when all the hormones are in proper place (after puberty) and when the sexual organs are in full working order (most of the time)

Maturity in Society - This means that you'll work a job that you hate, to buy things that you don't need.

Personal Maturity - When someone shows almost constant respect for everyone around them. When someone fights their primal instincts, ie. Resisting the urge to have pre-marital or extra-marital sex. Resisting the urge to kill someone that they disagree with (this doesn't mean you can't defend yourself and still be mature). Resisting the urge to talk badly about the people around you, even, and especially when they do something stupid. Standing up to other people when they talk badly about others, without being rude, or thinking badly about the person who is talking badly about someone else. Etc.

Fiscal Maturity - Having enough sense not to spend all your money in one place. Saving money, perhaps in a bank, but also, possibly, under your bed in a safe. So on.

If I were to give an overall definition of maturity, it would be this.

Maturity - The ability to respect, without being respected. The ability to stand up for your beliefs, even when others won't. The ability to resist physical urges, and temptations. The ability to be responsible, in all things, ie. for one's actions, with one's money, so on.

Also, I agree with quite a few of you, about your definitions of maturity. This is simply mine. As the original post asked.

At first I thought this was a joke...

Then I thought of a stuffy person with a pipe and slippers

Then I thought of...chuckles....a good glass of wine or cheese.

Of course all the other suggestions are as relevant...if you choose to think about it.

There is to much seriousness in this world of ours.

Still, I would ike to hear from the left hand side...
It was my intention that this post be a bit left handed, in that it is entirely self centred, self motivated... but was also intended to be universally constructive.

Is this the difference between how a mature sinister would accomplish a goal and a immature one?

When I think of personal satanism, I think of such things, acts that are basically self centred, yet have a goal of accelerated personal growth; or to phrase it differently, acts that force yourself, or others, to take the path less travelled (ultimately for their own benifit.)

Unfortunately, I see so many (usually young, but not always so) left hand practitioners who are simply self centered and do not work toward anything that does not have an immediately gratifying result. So shameful, and nobody is really shocked anymore (except maybe in Malta *jokes*)

I think to be truely mature... you must be sinister.

I think that there is a process of:
innocence, grief, sinister, mature... and of course, it's cyclical. Most people cannot get out of the grief stage... they are in denial that they are no longer innocent.

Hinduism revers the cow, there is a reason for this. The cow is allegory for innocence. It is perfect and holy... it is Adam and Eve in the garden of eden... before guilt. Humans, however are infinitely superior to the cow... when they are mature. They have gone through the valley of grief, and through the dark places, and arrived in a place near heavan.

*The holy cow butchers society is now in session... all rise*

*laughs*

OK you sinisters... tell me I'm full of the holy manure.

What struck me about your initial post was your emphasis on "distance from selfishness."

Is the opposite of selfishness, selflessness?

Then, I glory in selfishness, and refute selflessness. I have all those other time-honored attributes of maturity - age, independence, responsibility, accountability - but no nunnish desire to prostrate myself before the icon of selflessness.

I am capable of putting my desires second to another, or an ideal, but always with the idea in mind that this is action following a decision.

Selfless denial in and of itself is not maturity. Maturity is way overrated imo. It's the immature parts of me that keep life interesting.

Bloodmother has stated

“It's the immature parts of me that keep life interesting.”

That my dear is so true ^^

No; selfishness, is never thinking of others (other than negligably).

The opposite of that would be usually thinking of others. It's consideration. Your final decision does not have to be of benifit to others; but you have to have considered them.

What about if you think of others, but decide that if you make yourself happy first then you'll be in a better position to make others happy?

It's kind of like the airline directive to put your safety mask on first, then help others.

Children often want others to be astonished by everything that catches their fancy, they want kudos for every other action they do.

They strive for Golden Stars an charts.

As adults we (mature adults) the bar is raise, we must learn that to be exceptional we must develop talents, and consistantly demonstrate through practical application our dedication to those fields we wish to excell at.

when I see people looking around to see how others
think about something they are engaged in, I see an immature person.

Aside from the actual definition of the word,many "adults" are more immature than the kids they are raising.Maturity is earned not given away.You may grow up fast and think because you are an "adult".At any age you should think before you speak and speak with respect.Being mature is as important as as having respect for others.You can have fun and play around but there is a difference between maturity and lack of respect for others.There are 12 year olds with my maturity and respect in them than many 40 year olds.

Acting mature and being mature are like oranges and apples and comparing the two isn't easy.

Though I do feel there are plus sides to being immature, depending of the situation of course.

Maturity is by degrees. When we are babies we learn that if you want something you cry, or throw a tuntrum. Someone comes along and attends your needs, or generally pays attention to you.


Children do impulsive things to expirement with reactions from others.

On the plus side..

I play with my children, and I attempt to relive my childhood. This means that one has to act immature : )

By this basic act it helps to bond...do you see where I am going with this....It's about language and much more.

Dam, I have been on the beer, excuse me.

WOW, above my head.........I am mature, I take care of myself, am there for anyone who ever needs me for any reason, Have always been the adult in many situations that required me to be, when none of these things are going on, I act 25, its fun and I'm doing it til death, which I too have overcome several times in my life, as a adult and mature person. I think we all are mature and immature at times, it happens.....We're humans, or some of them are......lol

Maturity is an ongoing process. I see no end in sight. I do notice a difference between childless adults and those with children. There is a captive element to the latter psychology, but I'm not sure it's maturity.

Childlike is not childish. A person can relive childlike wonderment, fearlessness, and honesty (among other attributes) and still maintain maturity. Actually, these qualities in an adult enhance our maturity.

In regard to airline safety style maturity... it is a part of prosperity. Prosperity is not only having wealth (money/knowledge/what have you) but having no worries about the issue, in sufficient quantity that you can give it away, share it, teach it.

Sharing is the culmination of achievement.

Sometimes you must look after yourself to better look after others, it is an aspect of properity.

Zen teaches how one must master a technique first... after untold hours of proficiency, you can begin to do without thinking.

At this level of Zen, you must teach, or you are not prosperous. Prosperity, is also an attribute of maturity... sharing what you have accomplished without regard for loss. At the zen level of proficiency, there is no such thing as loss in sharing, it is integral to the accomplishment.

I was hoping to address some thoughts that I had while reading Bloodmothers post.
I did however attempt to tie it in within the context off maturity... sorry if it is a little OT.

If we fail to exercise our inner child, the inner child is libel to act out when we least expect it.

Even though I'm not all that patient, I'm tending toward the Zen persuasion. It makes sense to want to share knowledge.

"Sometimes you must look after yourself to better look after others, it is an aspect of properity."

Usually I prefer not to deal with absolutes, but I really do believe one must always look after oneself first in order to better serve others. Knowing this about myself - maybe doesn't work that way for others - is a sign of maturity.

The time when we acknowledge that we will never fully understand one another or the world that we exist in together.

Practical Doru,

When Practical things are given reasonable priority over trivial things.

Maturity is knowing when to stop acting like a child and know when to take things seriously.

For me maturity is accepting life's challenges, defeats and wins without bragging about it, just accepting it learning and moving on. Or picking up the pieces again without complaint and moving on.

It is holding your head when your surrounded by chaos. It is being able to think for your self, make decisions for your self. Accepting the word of the wise but still following your own path.

Maturity is not laying the blame for your faults or stupid actions upon someone else. But to accept you made a mistake or your personal flaws as your own doing.

I can't help but think of Rubyard Kiplings If... when I think of Maturity.

Maturity is admitting when you are a novice.

Immature people have a montra, "Thats what I believe, and I don't care what people think."

They actually think they are fooling people.

Immature people take general statements personally.

Immature people invest too much in how others receive their personal beliefs.

Immature people are offended by inquiries into professed beliefs.

Childlike is not childish. A person can relive childlike wonderment, fearlessness, and honesty (among other attributes) and still maintain maturity. Actually, these qualities in an adult enhance our maturity.

I agee this shows the ability to keep a balance, to be serious and funny when needed.

Rogue, I agree mostly so long as you don't mean stoic.

Maturity is when you have grown up mentally. When your mind matures you mature as a person. You tend to look at things differently than you did before.

Maturity is akin to wisdom.

Firstly, Lesson 101...realising that you know very little really...

Secondly, using that which you do know with respect, skill and dexterity.

I’m going to have to respond to this one I think. I’m one of the oldest members on VR, and I think I may have a grasp on the concept of maturity.

Maturity in my mind is defined by the combination of several qualities. Chief among these is the ability to think outside oneself- to be able to see other people have other opinions and beliefs, to respect them, even when you know that those opinions and beliefs are wrong. Along with that would go the ability to set aside personal wants for the good of others.

Some of these I would say are:

Responsibility – to take action, or refrain from it. To do the next right thing in spite of personal or popular preferences.

Dignity – a respect for yourself, your values and beliefs, and those of others.

Honesty – That’s one of the harder traits for many people. Sometimes being honest will put you in a very unfavorable light.

Well thought out decisions – You follow the thought through to its conclusion. What will your actions bring you? There are consequences for every action, or inaction. A mature person understands this.

Respect – Mature people understand that to get respect, you have to give it. You will find many of them to be as courteous as possible to everyone regardless of who they are.

Tolerance – It sometimes takes a lot of that. People who don’t have the gift of maturity have very little respect or tolerance. It will require the exercise of a lot of tolerance.

Compassion – When you live outside yourself and stop seeing everything as it pertains to you, you find that other people need help that you can give. You discover that helping someone else and being there for them is something that enriches your life. You don’t expect gratitude. You don’t expect thanks. Your concern is for them, not how you will be rewarded or thanked or viewed.

The ability to laugh at one's self. – Taking yourself too seriously is a sign of immaturity.

The ability to not take life too seriously, but still take it seriously enough. – Again, it’s not all about you.

The ability ignore and refrain from childish drama. You just don’t join the clowns in the public circus.

I realize this is all my opinion. I also realize that opinions vary.

But…you have my take on it.

Maturity is being able to take all the hurt, the pain and disappointment that life dishes out and still have enough discipline and fortitude to do the right thing...even when everything in you rages to do wrong.

I am not going into what the right thing is... we ALL have differing concepts of right and wrong, I'm sure.

I am 39 years old... I am independent of my parents, I was at 14. That did not make me mature. It made me capable. I do what I like and make my own decisions. That does not make me mature. Maturity is a state of social consciousness, where you understand that what you do effects others and you become responsible to guard them often times from your own evil will. It's a hard mantle to bear and somedays I can and somedays I can't....

Please help the ones I love on the days I can't...

"A person's maturity consists in having found again the seriousness one had as a child, at play."

Friedrich Nietzsche

To me personally maturity doesn't necessarily mean reaching a certain biological age, it's more a mental state when a person can define who he/she is at a interlectual & spititual level.

It's hard to describe, for instance I was still very much in a state of flux until perhaps the age 25 then after that 'watershed' I finally began to grow up, as my self confidence grew, my thoughts became clearer and my goals grew more defined and I was able to put my thoughts and idea's across a lot more clearer, also i started to develop a lot more awareness of the wider world and wasn't so focused on personal bias.

So, maturity is the point at which we begin to question it (maturity); or more likely, when we have recognised a deficiency and begin to act on it's change?

I am the most maturest person.. so Na-na Nah- nah na

Not nearly as mature as myself "pees on computer". And therein lies the whole of it; we are what we are, and without being ridiculously analytical, we are all preposterously self-opinionated in public, but when no ones looking, where's our maturity then? Oh, what strange, amusing and totally irresponsible and immature things we do when no one can see us-to deny this would make you a pompous twit. We are, and will always be, the end of both extremes.

I'm enjoying this.

What to say...what to do are two different questions. But I will get back on this topic.


Have you ever thought of how Eve is? Native yet mature, was she 'mature' enough to take the forbidden fruit from the tree?

Maturity is a type of mind set to me. Acting one's age in a sense I suppose. But I have come to find out that maturity is a rare trait in most people. Which is why the world sucks so badly lol.

I think maturity comes with experience.. or rather how we react to experiences. It is completely dependent on a persons life experience and I don't think age is relevant at all when judging maturity. I think a person can truly claim maturity when their development stage moves from egocentrism to sociocentrism.... this never happens with some people.

My definition of maturity is pretty complex I think. In order to be considered mature you must be mindful of you actions and that they not only affect you but others, be able to make your own decisions and accept the consequences of the decisions, to be able to accept responsibility even if you may not really want it, and also I think part of being mature is the ability to not only stand up for what you believe in but also hear about others beliefs and not stand there and tell them they are wrong (with or without proof that they are wrong it is still immature in my opinion).

independent, accepts consequences and doesnt complain about it is my definition.

if you dont let them make mistakes in life then the young cant learn maturity as with wine it comes in time

maturity....being able to take responsibility for ones actions, but also being able to see before one takes an action, the possible outcomes of that action.
~W~

I have to agree with Lord, to be able to accept ones actions.

I haven't laughed this hard since I discovered a book called, ''Naughty Shakespeare'', and I am so glad I did not read it.

http://www.caderbooks.com/exnshake1.html

William Shakespeare, even he gotten to be down rated to being immature in this book. Sham. I love William Shakespeare, a mature old soul of wisdom.

Maturity is how developed one is mind,body, and ethically. Like knows the appropriate time and place for certain things. Not a moral thing. Nor independence, as SS stated, legally 17 year olds can move out. I was most immature at 17

On vr, sometimes I see members who really are just foolish children, playing their games, they don't understand. They look around vr in wonder, not noticing the danger creeping up.

Truly so innocent in the lack of such on vr, that wisdom gained is nothing more. Than they're knowing not to touch a hot stove. No guide for navigating this world.

There is hope in rectifying the mistakes of youth, though.

Maturity means to see beyond what the eyes can comprehend. Maturity means to go beyond the human limitations.

Taking responsibilties for your actions and accepting wrong and facing up to it,and only to apologize to it.

When reason becomes logic and the knowledge is known for life .But always we mature more everyday till be pass to the land of he dead .

Maturity is like wisdom; you don't have it until you truely belive you don't. It sounds like a contradition but if you think about it; how mature is it to say ''I'm more mature than you are; na-na-na-na-na-na!''? I believe myself to be more mature than others of my age but then again I've also probably been through more than them; at least I hope so...
Maturity is when you find true balance of the mind; you know when to be silly, and when to be sober; when to speak up or when to hold your tounge. It is controlling your passions (unlike Jane Erye) without trying to master your emotions. But maturity is what you make it to be; as is all of life. ~Adiou

Maturity means the time has come to stop acting like a child (no offense to anyone). It is the time to start acting your age and think of your actions before u act.

I see a lot of posts where independence convays maturity. I disagree. weather or not your are independent or not has only little to do with maturity.

In one post, one claimed that they cannot get a job because society deamed them unacceptable do to not conforming to the mainstream. therefore they live with their parents and are jobless. someone else encouraged this behavior by calling it survival.

Survival is not relying on your parents for housing just so you can be independent and appear how you wish.

I feel survival is doing the right thing by allowing yourself to suck it up and do what you must, even if it is conforming slightly in certain aspects of your life to the mainstream society in order to land a job and live on your own, as a real, mature, independent aduld. this also implies maturity to me.

Just some of my thoughts.

Interesting, i see where ur going with the independence. However, humans are not truly independent. We are always relying on someone else. I guess we haven't reach full maturity.

maturity to me just means being able to survive in the world without parents or govt holding you up. true independence means just that. you may in time have a mate to help travel thru life...you may develop a family structure on your on, but you go forwards, not backwards.
you dont move back home with your parents...you dont constantly ask mom, dad for a handout, etc.

for me maturity is mostly just about that.
~W~

Aizen,

I do agree.

I just personally feel, that everyone has a path that works for them. It is just up to he/she to find what works for them, be it a predetermined path or a patchwork of many things that one find works best for them.

well, maturity does vary among people so naturally the path to maturity will also vary. If everyone tries, I am sure that eventually we can all reach full maturity. If not, then we are indeed immature although we believe that we are mature. Thats the problem with society, they think too highly of themselves even with a topic such as maturity.

hahaha, thats awesome Aizen

to me it means development of one self . it shows where you came from and what you have become . in any field . so thats is me

Thanks Rabynion! But its the truth. Everyday, society thinks more and more highly of itself. Frankly, its getting annoying. Why can't we all just accept who we r along with our flaws? By doing so, we can be truly mature! If society remains in its own little world, then I pity it because it will never reach full maturity. Such a shame.

maturity is knowing how to avoid looking like an ass,lol

True enough. Too bad the rest of society doesn't know it

How do you determine when a person is mature? As I stated above it should be when you have reached a point when you know yourself and can accept it, plus be more aware of the people around you but is there a point when a person stop maturing? I don't think so as a person cannot live and stop learning and evolving.

there is always something new to learn

I don`t think there is a single human being who is totally and undoubtedly mature.
As for the definition of "maturity" that I have in mind, it would sound something like: "Being able to think critically, to analyze all aspects of an issue and on that basis to take decisions, being totally objective and impartial, having an ultimate self-control and at all times acting and thinking rationally."
The thread which gave you the idea of this new one, "Do you choose your child's religion or do you accept the religion they choose?", makes me think about another post of mine, referring to the fact that children are usually baptized according to their parents` religion or choice of religion, as they lack consciousness, decision-making and language abilities at such a young age.
If the child, at one point, decides to change his/her religion or faith or whatever you may call it, I think it would be a lack of maturity on behalf of the parents to try to stop him or simply forbid him to do it, because there is no one but oneself who should be able to decide what is, let`s say, "good and bad".
To prove maturity in such a situation, parents should drop their need of control, have a discussion with their child to see the reasons, advise him and .. that`s about it.

Maturity is really relative. Definitions are based more on conformity to certain behaviors decided by those who already consider themselves mature. Each society has their ideas on what makes one mature. I don't think there can be any one real difinitive answer, only opinion that is most accepted.

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