Are teenagers immature?

[Rhys]

I've been active on the internet since I was a kid, I'm 17 and only now feel comfortable revealing my real age because everyone would dismiss me as too young to be part of their more mature communities, even though I could function like one of them if I lied about my age. I know first hand that a lot of my peers can be pretty childish but I think I am mature enough to post like anyone else on this forum.

When someone tells that they are young, do you automatically think less of them and their opinion?

 

[Jesse]

Yes. But don't worry every body thinks the generation below them is immature. Think of it like this. Was there anything stupid you thought and did as a 15 year old? Chances are you are doing that but for your 20 year old self, and so on until you are too old to remember what you did last year.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Of course. We think that way because we were idiots when we were your age. That's not to say there's no potential there, but the things you'll learn as you age will make you value having lived to the point you understand things in that way; Better. You may not be dumb, you may not be immature, especially compared to other people your age. But in ten years, just imagine how much more you're going to know, how much more mature you'll become! I'm not the kind to dismiss what young people say because they're young, but when it comes right down to it, young people are in the middle of childhood and adulthood, and a lot of what they say is from such a perception.

 

[Dimensional Transition]

I pretty much agree with what has been said above, it sucks knowing that 90% of my posts will probably make quite a few people here go: 'Sigh, so naive. Was I that annoying when I was his age? Hm, probably.'

It's something you'll have to live with I guess.

 

[EditorOne]

Immature probably isn't the best possible word, since all it means is "not mature." By definition, you're not mature.

That doesn't mean teenagers are automatically unworthy, nor does it mean they are all equally incapable of being good colleagues or companions.

I had a very good reporter when I was editor down in North Carolina. She could go anywhere you sent her and come back with some kind of well-written story. She was 15 years old, working as a part-time summer intern, but she could see the fun and the news potential in just about anything, much better than her "mature" counterparts.

When I was young, and even when I still looked younger than I was, through my late 20s, I distinctly recall being talked down to because I was young and I distinctly recall thinking they were missing the boat by rejecting what I offered as an analysis of a problem or solution to a situation simply because of my youth. And they'd throw it in my face, "What do you know? You're just a pup!" The obvious wicked response would have been like Winston Churchill's retort to a woman who said he was drunk. "I won't be young in a few more years, but you'll still be stupid." What I opted for instead, having been raised to show respect even if I didn't feel it, was the slightly more convoluted "Yes, I'm young, but with people like you to get past I'm aging twice as fast as everyone else." Some weren't sure they'd been insulted, some took a long time to figure it out, and a few thought it was funny and opted to give a listen.

Two other quick points: Time cures immaturity, obviously, so don't feel like you have to work too hard to deal with this. And since we are INTP, we carry some childlike qualities forever. They work for us in terms of creativity and innovation and willingness to change, but sometimes, depending on context, it's better to keep the child hidden from the view of others you have to deal with who were born 50 years old and distrust anyone who seems to be enjoying himself....

 

[SilentChaos]

hasn't anyone heard that quote:"I am not young enough to know everything", age means nothing, knowledge is not measured by age. I respect your opinion more for being a teenager, as your thoughts are not so clouded by the indecisiveness and bitter rationality that comes with age.

 

[SpaceYeti]

hasn't anyone heard that quote:"I am not young enough to know everything", age means nothing, knowledge is not measured by age. I respect your opinion more for being a teenager, as your thoughts are not so clouded by the indecisiveness and bitter rationality that comes with age.

1) That quote is something of an insult to the young, as young people seem to think they know everything, that they're invulnerable, etc. It has nothing to do with age's irrelevancy to knowledge. It means that as you age, you learn that you don't know what you used to think you knew, IE; that you grow more wise in that manner... because you're not young.

2) I've known plenty of older people who are cheerful, and plenty of old people who are not rational, so your second bit of insight there is... lacking. Then, perhaps I'm simply lucky enough to meet those exceptionally rare older people and what you say is the norm, but I doubt it.

 

[SilentChaos]

1) That quote is something of an insult to the young, as young people seem to think they know everything, that they're invulnerable, etc. It has nothing to do with age's irrelevancy to knowledge. It means that as you age, you learn that you don't know what you used to think you knew, IE; that you grow more wise in that manner... because you're not young.

I cannot say that your explanation of Oscar Wilde’s quote is incorrect, because I believe quotes to be entirely subjective.

However, in this context I was intending to use it to explain that we throw away the theories/views we had at age 17 and adopt new ones, we continue to adopt new theories/views all are life. Then we think about the intellectual progress we have made with every new theory/view, without realizing that each new theory/view was incorrect (accuracy is impossible)making future ones also problematically incorrect, hence chances of accuracy are the same as with the original theories, except we have lost assurance.

You could argue that we become more accurate throughout life (we do gain rationality but if anything it does not assist accuracy), irrelevant, an incorrect theory is an incorrect theory.

2) I've known plenty of older people who are cheerful, and plenty of old people who are not rational, so your second bit of insight there is... lacking. Then, perhaps I'm simply lucky enough to meet those exceptionally rare older people and what you say is the norm, but I doubt it.

You do not get more innocent with age but you do become bitterer (unless your an INFP, god bless them).

 

[SpaceYeti]

I cannot say that your explanation of Oscar Wilde’s quote is incorrect, because I believe quotes to be entirely subjective.

They're not. People say things in a language, wherein each word has a definition and use within proper syntax. If you quote me as saying "I like cuppy-cakes", it really can only mean one thing; That I like cuppy-cakes. You could take it to mean whatever you want, but I would rather you not quote me to argue for a thing my quote has nothing to do with or in which context it works opposite to what I meant. In this case, J M Barrie (not Oscar Wilde) did, in fact, mean what he said in the way that I said he meant it. Or, more accurately, what a character in one of his plays said.

However, in this context I was intending to use it to explain that we throw away the theories/views we had at age 17 and adopt new ones, we continue to adopt new theories/views all are life. Then we think about the intellectual progress we have made with every new theory/view, without realizing that each new theory/view was incorrect (accuracy is impossible)making future ones also problematically incorrect, hence chances of accuracy are the same as with the original theories, except we have lost assurance.

Perhaps some people may replace old idea/beliefs/theories with equally flimsy and unverifiable ones. I'd like to think that most people actually do learn things once and while, thereby growing more and more able to distinguish between baseless ideals and fact. I know I sure have, but I'm also sure some people have not (Creationists, for example). It's difficult to go through life and not actually learn anything such that all of your beliefs, new and old and replaced and replacement, are all equally likely to be false.

You could argue that we become more accurate throughout life (we do gain rationality but if anything it does not assist accuracy), irrelevant, an incorrect theory is an incorrect theory.

We become more accurate because we leanr facts, which enable us to see the world for what it actually is, more and more as we age. You'd have to put effort into not learning in order to not learn anything. Further, rationality totally helps us become more accurate, though it also teaches us that we do not necessarily know what we think we know. That's a lesson learned, however, not an actual loss of accuracy. You're accurate whether or not you think you are. That last sentence I actually agree with, though.

You do not get more innocent with age but you do become bitterer (unless your an INFP, god bless them).

Innocence is the lack of having done wrong. As you age, there's a good chance you're wrong once in a while, so innocence is bound to become corrupted. I don't see how innocence is even relevant, though. You'll have to explain that one to me. It sounds at least a little to me like you're at least mildly agist against old people. Don't get me wrong, old people are kinda gross, with their failing body and it's functions, and certainly some do become bitter. I fail to see how that cancels out the happy old people I've met, though. Age is not a direct cause of bitterness, it simply allows for more opportunity to become bitter. When it comes right down to it, though, it depends on your personality. Your personality will liklely be the same throughout your entire life. If you're bitter now, you'll be bitter then. If you're jolly now (as I am), you'll be jolly then.

 

[SilentChaos]

I wrote a lovely long response to you, unfortunately, there was no point, I understand your opinion but I fear you do not understand mine; here it is in a nutshell:

A mathematician works all his life on a problem, he starts with one small equation then works up to pages and pages of complex extensions, he thinks about how much he has completed and the progress he has made. One day he discovers that although you can get closer to a solution, you can never solve the problem. Hence he is just as close to the solution as he was on day one. (We are the mathematicians)

I argue that you are incorrect either way, so, if I must hear an incorrect opinion I would rather that incorrect opinion be emotional and optimistic than cynical and rehearsed (from many years of adjusting thoughts, ((also I just hate old people)) (((lol, jks)))).

 

[Lobstrich]

No, I do not disregard the opinions of those younger than myself. Ageism is extremely ignorant.

Of course, I can't help but think about what their saying. Analyze I guess. Try to figure out if they genuinly believe what their saying or if their just like I think most of those of my generation (and younger) are. Either way; No, I do not think less.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Are teenagers immature?

Really? You're really asking this?

Dave

 

[SpaceYeti]

A mathematician works all his life on a problem, he starts with one small equation then works up to pages and pages of complex extensions, he thinks about how much he has completed and the progress he has made. One day he discovers that although you can get closer to a solution, you can never solve the problem. Hence he is just as close to the solution as he was on day one. (We are the mathematicians)

I argue that you are incorrect either way, so, if I must hear an incorrect opinion I would rather that incorrect opinion be emotional and optimistic than cynical and rehearsed (from many years of adjusting thoughts, ((also I just hate old people)) (((lol, jks)))).

No, I do not understand you. You seem to be arguing that, well, everyone's wrong about everything. It's a ludicrous idea. "I exist". <- True. I just proved your basic axiom incorrect. I think, rather, you're attempting to demonstrate the opposite form of agism, yet I see no point in it. Perhaps you're simply a rebel without a cause (which is an oxymoron, since you're not rebelling unless it's against something, but I digress).

 

[jameslikespie]

It's immature to ask that question, as it solely depends on the person, and it's immature to think you're superior to someone simply because you're older, to those people who think they are superior because of age, grow the fuck up (pun intended).

I'm a teenager and i'd consider myself more knowledgeable and wise than many adults.

 

[SpaceYeti]

I'm a teenager and i'd consider myself more knowledgeable and wise than many adults.

Are you correct, though, and how would you demonstrate it?

 

[jameslikespie]

Are you correct, though, and how would you demonstrate it?

But that's not what were discussing, demonstrating how one person could be more intelligent than another is for another topic. I don't see how anyone could prove someone to be more intelligent than another 100%, as intelligence has many aspects.

I'm saying it depends on the person's opinions and actions, not their age.

 

[mainiac]

Did you realize that until starting about the early 1930,s you were for the most part considered an adult at a much younger age than today. Go back further in time and you will find that you were a grown up at the age of 14 or so. Today is so radicaly different. For one thing we keep our young, young way too long. Coddeling them and pampering them with our decadent scociety. In general, western culture keep to this theme.


I must admitt that I use to sort of dismiss a younger person, like a teenagers, posts/ However I have changed and know that alot of them are just as knowledgable and often more so than many three times their age. So the point is that there is alot to learn from any age group and any person. So yes I am interested in what you have to say.

 

[SpaceYeti]

But that's not what were discussing, demonstrating how one person could be more intelligent than another is for another topic. I don't see how anyone could prove someone to be more intelligent than another 100%, as intelligence has many aspects.

I'm saying it depends on the person's opinions and actions, not their age.

You said you consider yourself more knowledgeable and wise than many adults. All I did was ask how we might verify that belief. The more knowledgeable part I'm not too worried about, but wisdom goes hand in hand with maturity, so that's relevant to the topic. Many adults consider themselves more knowledgeable and wise than their younger selves, which makes sense, as they've been alive longer and have had more chances at learning and maturing. I'm not claiming your claim is false, I'm asking how we verify it. What conditions make a person wise, and how do we know you meet them to a higher degree than many adults?

Along similar lines, how many people do we hear say things like "I wish I were as smart and wise as I was when I was a teenager", or "I consider adults smarter and wiser than myself"? Could your ego not be impacting your views?

 

[alrai]

We would have to define "maturity", wither its mental, physical, or financial? was maturity defined by gaining independence? or responsibility? the trend proposed about the generations may still be applicable to some aspects of teenagers development, although your example would lack time validity due to life expectancy and condtions being different in the 1930's, even in this day and age, in some cultures a person by the age 14 would been considered as fully mature, and as accountable for his action as some one who is 40.

 

[Oedipus]

I have a horrible feeling my maturity has peaked already.

 

[AlisaD]

In a true intp fashion, I will have to ask what maturity is anyway. Also, why does it matter, especially when it comes to opinions on an internet forum.
If you have an opinion and I am interested in the subject, I will read it. If I agree, I agree. If I think it's dumb, then it's dumb and whether you are 10 or a 100 years old really shouldn't make a difference.
What teenagers sometimes do lack, is the calm required to present their ideas clearly, as they tend to get fired up a bit more easily then some of the older members, so in some cases the way they express their opinions helps discredit them, even if the general ideas behind them are valid.
Older members do the same, of course just not as often

 

[pjoa09]

I don't see why maturity is an issue.

Hell even if you were more immature than a 10 year old that calls everyone a fag on Youtube it doesn't matter so long as you aren't banned.
You could share your opinion. I don't see why you can't share an opinion. What do you get in return for an opinion? At best an agreement? You feel more agreeable? I always use forums to ask questions or have people criticize my opinion. But mostly questions about INTPness.

But as a person being young is immature. There is no way around it. Everything in retrospect looks better and wasted. You just can't tell yourself you were wiser than you are now can you? It wouldn't make sense.

 

[terraxceles]

Maturity is cyclic, I don't think you go from child → mature, but rather through many, many assumptions of child → mature → now really mature → no, I mean now I'm mature → child again → whoops, OK this time, I'm totally mature for real → etc.

So you might think you are mature now, but pretty soon you won't(?)

 

[jameslikespie]

You said you consider yourself more knowledgeable and wise than many adults. All I did was ask how we might verify that belief. The more knowledgeable part I'm not too worried about, but wisdom goes hand in hand with maturity, so that's relevant to the topic. Many adults consider themselves more knowledgeable and wise than their younger selves, which makes sense, as they've been alive longer and have had more chances at learning and maturing. I'm not claiming your claim is false, I'm asking how we verify it. What conditions make a person wise, and how do we know you meet them to a higher degree than many adults?

Along similar lines, how many people do we hear say things like "I wish I were as smart and wise as I was when I was a teenager", or "I consider adults smarter and wiser than myself"? Could your ego not be impacting your views?

Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought. It is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions. - Wikipedia (I know someone's going to give me shit for using Wikipedia )

I think those are good conditions. To answer your second question, you don't know i'm more wise than many adults. How do you suggest I prove it to you? Anyway, i'm not saying i'm insanely wise, i'm just saying that by today's standard, i'm pretty wise compared to a lot of people.

This seems like one of those debates that never ends, you present A, I counter with B, you ask me to justify B, I justify it with C, then you ask me to justify C etc.

 

[SpaceYeti]

Wisdom is a deep understanding and realizing of people, things, events or situations, resulting in the ability to choose or act or inspire to consistently produce the optimum results with a minimum of time, energy or thought. It is the ability to optimally (effectively and efficiently) apply perceptions and knowledge and so produce the desired results. Wisdom is also the comprehension of what is true or right coupled with optimum judgment as to action. Synonyms include: sagacity, discernment, or insight. Wisdom often requires control of one's emotional reactions (the "passions") so that one's principles, reason and knowledge prevail to determine one's actions. - Wikipedia (I know someone's going to give me shit for using Wikipedia )

I can agree with such a definition. Further, I have no problem with wikipedia. You can always check the sources, after all. It's not like it's nothing but unsupported claims. Sure, anyone can edit it, but if someone edits in false or unsupported information it's deleted or annotated pretty quickly. It's actually a really good resource.

I think those are good conditions. To answer your second question, you don't know i'm more wise than many adults. How do you suggest I prove it to you? Anyway, i'm not saying i'm insanely wise, i'm just saying that by today's standard, i'm pretty wise compared to a lot of people.

Honestly, I have a suspicion that you are more wise than many adults. I've known several adults, albethey primarily young adults, whom were really no more wise than many teenagers; deciding to sleep with people they'd wind up regretting, spending their money poorly, drinking while driving, etc. I would consider myself pretty unwise for the first good chunk of my adulthood, even (not in the listed ways, yet ultimately unwise). More, I'm curious what sorts of life experiences you've had which allow you to know you can and will make wise decisions, especially when the decision is an important one. After all, without ever having used wisdom can you claim you're wise? Anyone can think, and anyone can believe they're somehow brilliant, but no matter how high an IQ you have or how clever you think you may be, how do you know you're correct? You. How do you know?

This seems like one of those debates that never ends, you present A, I counter with B, you ask me to justify B, I justify it with C, then you ask me to justify C etc.

Perhaps, but we may each learn something so why not continue, eh?

 

[jameslikespie]

I can agree with such a definition. Further, I have no problem with wikipedia. You can always check the sources, after all. It's not like it's nothing but unsupported claims. Sure, anyone can edit it, but if someone edits in false or unsupported information it's deleted or annotated pretty quickly. It's actually a really good resource.

Honestly, I have a suspicion that you are more wise than many adults. I've known several adults, albethey primarily young adults, whom were really no more wise than many teenagers; deciding to sleep with people they'd wind up regretting, spending their money poorly, drinking while driving, etc. I would consider myself pretty unwise for the first good chunk of my adulthood, even (not in the listed ways, yet ultimately unwise). More, I'm curious what sorts of life experiences you've had which allow you to know you can and will make wise decisions, especially when the decision is an important one. After all, without ever having used wisdom can you claim you're wise? Anyone can think, and anyone can believe they're somehow brilliant, but no matter how high an IQ you have or how clever you think you may be, how do you know you're correct? You. How do you know?

Perhaps, but we may each learn something so why not continue, eh?

To be honest, I haven't had many "extreme" life experiences, and the only way i've come up with the conclusion that i'm wise is making up scenarios and asking myself what would I honestly do in that particular situation, i'm pretty reserved, and a young teenager, so that's mainly why there have been almost no "anarchic teenager" moments, and a lot of what many people consider wise (eg. not drinking and driving, not spending money ridiculously) is what i'd call "common sense".

 

[SpaceYeti]

To be honest, I haven't had many "extreme" life experiences, and the only way i've come up with conclusion that i'm wise is making up scenarios and asking myself what would I honestly do in that particular situation, i'm pretty reserved, and a young teenager, so that's mainly why there have been almost no "anarchic teenager" moments, and a lot of what many people consider wise (eg. not drinking and driving, not spending money ridiculously) is what i'd call "common sense".

I'd call it common sense too, yet people do it all the time. I'd say common sense and wisdom are closely related, separated only by degree.

However, there's a vast difference between thinking of something and actually doing it. I know how I'll react to certain situations not because I think it's what I'd do, but because I've had to do them before and know what I'm actually capable of. Pretending you can do things is not the same as being able to do them. While I don't think you'll make especially poor decisions, and I do not doubt you're more wise than other people your age, it seems you cannot know if you're wise compared to adults, because you haven't made adult decisions, yet. You might be capable, you might not be. I don't deny your abilities, but INTPs do have a habit of over estimating themselves.

 

[jameslikespie]

I'd call it common sense too, yet people do it all the time. I'd say common sense and wisdom are closely related, separated only by degree.

However, there's a vast difference between thinking of something and actually doing it. I know how I'll react to certain situations not because I think it's what I'd do, but because I've had to do them before and know what I'm actually capable of. Pretending you can do things is not the same as being able to do them. While I don't think you'll make especially poor decisions, and I do not doubt you're more wise than other people your age, it seems you cannot know if you're wise compared to adults, because you haven't made adult decisions, yet. You might be capable, you might not be. I don't deny your abilities, but INTPs do have a habit of over estimating themselves.

First off, I fucked up my last post, it should have said "with the conclusion" rather than "with conclusion"

I agree, I probably am over estimating myself.

 

[Lobstrich]

In a true intp fashion, I will have to ask what maturity is anyway. Also, why does it matter, especially when it comes to opinions on an internet forum.
If you have an opinion and I am interested in the subject, I will read it. If I agree, I agree. If I think it's dumb, then it's dumb and whether you are 10 or a 100 years old really shouldn't make a difference.

Exactly!

What teenagers sometimes do lack, is the calm required to present their ideas clearly, as they tend to get fired up a bit more easily then some of the older members, so in some cases the way they express their opinions helps discredit them, even if the general ideas behind them are valid.
Older members do the same, of course just not as often

I don't agree with this though. I think it depends on the person. I've known "grown ups" who get fired up easily. Just the other day a teacher whom me and my class have only just met started yelling because I said a disagreed with what he said. He's at least 50 years old and has been teaching for all his life. I've also met people younger than me who are more 'understanding' and patient than me. Not that it requires a lot surpass me, lol.

 

[downsowf]

I've been active on the internet since I was a kid, I'm 17 and only now feel comfortable revealing my real age because everyone would dismiss me as too young to be part of their more mature communities, even though I could function like one of them if I lied about my age. I know first hand that a lot of my peers can be pretty childish but I think I am mature enough to post like anyone else on this forum.

When someone tells that they are young, do you automatically think less of them and their opinion?

It depends who you are and what your opinion is. That's my criteria no matter what age you are. I finding it abhorrent that people would automatically dismiss someone solely because of age. That's lazy and such people are naive if they think they have a monopoly on knowledge because of their age. I've met plenty of people throughout my life who have made mistakes and never learned from them. The process of becoming wiser is making mistakes and learning from them. I've also met younger individuals who are wise beyond their years. If I'm talking to someone who has not matured, I try to never be condescending because there is nothing I hate more than not being taken seriously. Most the time younger people are capable of having serious conversations; the problem occurs when someone younger thinks they know more than everyone. But guess what- that's what most younger people do, including myself when I was growing up. My advice would be to share whatever comment you like. You are fully capable of participating in any meaningful discussion as you wish. I'm glad you posted this because I think everyone has a tendency to be condescending to those who are younger. I'm sure I have been guilty of it, but I do consciously make an effort to always treat someone with respect (that is if your comment is not wildly idiotic). Secondly, be conscious of your age and the type of knowledge you are capable of giving. I'm not saying age necessarily corresponds with knowledge, but the point is to be aware of your limits. Even now, I only feel obliged to give an opinion or advice to someone if I feel completely confident that what I'm saying is truly correct because I know from my experiences.

 

[opheliaesque]

Maturity does come with age to an extent, and just like growth spurts some people have it early, some people take longer for it to develop. I hide my age from most of the internet either because

a) I want to RP porn and everybody just assumes the only writing 16 year old's are capable of is purple prose dipped with teenage angst
b) they obviously have an age prejudice and I rather dislike condescension or
c) because of my childish delight in people thinking I'm much older than I am

I know I'm not always the brightest bulb in the room, but I'm often able to grasp abstractions and concepts faster than my peers. I can think and think myself to death. I try not to be condescending to people who I feel have a slightly... skewered view of the world, or who holds less maturity than me, because I can just imagine how stupid I can come off to people who are inevitably more wise/knowledgeable/etce etc than me. Still, it's one of my predilections and I'm not really proud of it, but I can be really condescending.

Hopefully, i will grow out of it.

 

[Akuma]

I'd like to think that whether someone is "mature" doesn't matter, only if they acknowledge ignorance and are willing to remedy that.

This is probably me being defensive, as I'm only going to be 19 in two months.

For my opinion on someone younger, when someone else reveals their age it depends on the subject. E.g the difference between analysing a book and a talk about being in "love".

 

[SpaceYeti]

Admitting ignorance is a sign of maturity, though.

 

[Dimensional Transition]

Maturity does come with age to an extent, and just like growth spurts some people have it early, some people take longer for it to develop. I hide my age from most of the internet either because

a) I want to RP porn and everybody just assumes the only writing 16 year old's are capable of is purple prose dipped with teenage angst
b) they obviously have an age prejudice and I rather dislike condescension or
c) because of my childish delight in people thinking I'm much older than I am

I know I'm not always the brightest bulb in the room, but I'm often able to grasp abstractions and concepts faster than my peers. I can think and think myself to death. I try not to be condescending to people who I feel have a slightly... skewered view of the world, or who holds less maturity than me, because I can just imagine how stupid I can come off to people who are inevitably more wise/knowledgeable/etce etc than me. Still, it's one of my predilections and I'm not really proud of it, but I can be really condescending.

Hopefully, i will grow out of it.

You want to RP porn?
What does that even mean?

 

[opheliaesque]

RP = Roleplay. Not in a bedroom.

 

[SpaceYeti]

... We can RP some sexy time. Let's go!

 

[yogurtexpress]

Well, everyone's perception of maturity is different, but all I can say is that my perception is certainly different from what it used to be. I'm 20, so I'm still quite young and immature myself, but the good thing is that at least I'm starting to realize it.

When I was 12, I thought I was mature simply because I could have intelligent debates about religion, or watch films like 'A Clockwork Orange.' Yes, being a thinking person is one sign of maturity, but it doesn't mean anything without accepting the responsibilities that your parents have to face or being able to do simple things like asking strangers for help (I had a hard time with this until very recently).

Not to mention that your view on things like relationships changes over the years. When you're still in high school, you view a relationship either as this magical thing that will make you happier, or just another cheerful diversion in life. But when you're older and you have to start thinking about how you're going to support yourself, you see that relationships are really just another means of survival for most people. I still have a lot to learn about life, but at least I'm not stuck in this naive fantasy about life that I had when I was 17 myself.

 

[ObliviousGenius]

First off, I am 20 years old and consider myself mature in relation to other 18-21 year olds I'm in contact with. However, when I think about how much smarter, wiser, and more mature I have become in the last few years alone leads me to believe that I am still childish and immature in my thinking. You can see by the quotes in my signature what I believe about this. I believe I do not have a ceiling on just how wise I can become. So yes, teenagers are immature by the standards of their future self, not someone else's. If I were to make that comparison, (comparison to someone else's maturity level) it would suggest that adults are immature as well, as long as the scale/ratio is the same. That aside, I believe teenagers are only truly immature is when they don't realize that they are. Because if they are ignorant from their own immaturity, they are ignorant to what it takes to be mature. Knowing this and not knowing is what true maturity really is by my definition. And, a further level of maturity is being wise enough to apply what one knows what maturity is. I can do this (proven by my written know how) but I know that eventually I will be much better at it because I have not yet reached my peak (I will never acknowledge reaching my peak because I feel I have no ceiling).

 

[yogurtexpress]

Most people say your peak is in your 20s or 30s, but it's a load of shit. If you're an athlete or a model, then yes, you peak in your 20s, but for everyone else you only get better and wiser with age. Look at George Carlin (who I strongly believe was INTP), his best stuff was when he was in his 60s, for chrissakes. It makes me think that if everyone had the energy and they didn't become lazy in their habits and passions, then their true peak would be shortly before death.

 

[opheliaesque]

Not to mention that your view on things like relationships changes over the years. When you're still in high school, you view a relationship either as this magical thing that will make you happier, or just another cheerful diversion in life. But when you're older and you have to start thinking about how you're going to support yourself, you see that relationships are really just another means of survival for most people. I still have a lot to learn about life, but at least I'm not stuck in this naive fantasy about life that I had when I was 17 myself.

Nahh, I highly doubt 'more mature' people see relationships as means of survival. Means of spiritual survival, perhaps, but unless you're talking about a sugardaddy or your parents, then relationships are gunna do jack shit about your financial situation. Networking is different, yes, but these aren't deep and meaningful relationships.

 

[yogurtexpress]

I'm just saying your financial situation can improve with a combined income. Not saying that you need to depend on someone else like a golddigger...

 

[opheliaesque]

I like to think relationships should be able to transcend materialism if one wants a functioning relationship. Not to say your financial situation isn't important, but it shouldn't be what dictates a relationship, imo.

This is my current philosophy anywho. Quite susceptible to change.

 

[NO_ARM_NINJA]

I like to see maturity as one's realization of how the world works,as well as how that person works with the world, that is, the amount of ignorance lost with age, which may vary from person to person. Myself being only 16, I've developed a rather realistic view of the world, and my own potential in the world, but I commonly see people in their mid to late 20's that are dumber than a box of rocks and expect the fruits of life to fall into their laps without even playing to their non-intellectual strengths. I find myself deeply agitated when I try to tell those people to work with what they have only to receive the "You're 16, what do you know?" response. The aforementioned "naive fantasy" from my early childhood is gone now, but I still see people my age and older exhibiting that "YES I CAN!" attitude despite having long since squandered their potential, those are the people I consider to be immature.

 

[Kaylene]

I think that some to most teenagers are immature. I've also been on the internet for a few years, since I was about 11/12 and I think I am rather mature for my age. I'm only 15, and I consider myself to be more mature then a lot of people in my generation.

I feel like maturity is a state of mind, but also the way you have experienced things and how you have dealt with them (wisdom comes with age?).

 

[Hannahcrockett]

I'm twelve but I think I'm more mature than some my age.
I mean, I'm 12 and I'm on this forum so obivously I'm more mature?
But, who cares?
If your immature your immature.
Doesn't mean your dumb.
(-:

 

[downsowf]

Once you turn 13 and have your bar/bat mitzvah you will become a man/woman. Until then, I will consider you young, whiny, and immature.

 

[ObliviousGenius]

I'm twelve but I think I'm more mature than some my age.
I mean, I'm 12 and I'm on this forum so obivously I'm more mature?
But, who cares?
If your immature your immature.
Doesn't mean your dumb.
(-:

12 hahaha you've got a long way to go sport. (jk man)

 

[Dr. Freeman]

Are rocks heavy? Is string long?

It depends entirely on the teen.

 

[Sanctum]

Not necessarily, yes most teenagers are underdeveloped mentally (Men tend to be missing gland for emotional stability, and girls are missing gland that help make good decisions), but i believe a lot of teenagers are more mature then they let on. I feel im very mature compared to my peers, i just think most kids fit into that childish/immature role in fear or in lieu of getting older. Kinda like a early midlife crisis. I just accept who i am and take pride in my maturity as should everyone, but don't get me wrong there are genuinely childish teenagers but at the same time aren't there childish adults. I'm 16 by the way.

 

[francienjohnsone]

YES.