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Biologically it's possible to indicate the approximate age when a person reaches full physical maturity. However, emotional maturity is more challenging to define or distinguish. While physical and emotional maturity are subjective, typically, a person reaches physical maturity before becoming emotionally mature. For example, it's likely that a teenager would be physically mature but not emotionally mature enough to become a parent.

In fact, one study showed that the average man doesn't reach full emotional maturity until age 43, while women mature by age 32. That's an 11-year difference! Yet, again, the topic is very subjective. And while there are no tools (yet) available to determine the exact age one becomes 'ripe,' there are so-called signs of maturity. Similarly to how psychological conditions are diagnosed via symptoms, so can full psychological maturation be determined by signs of emotional maturity.

While signs of maturity in a man and woman may differ, gendering signs of maturity is irrelevant. So what exactly are those cues that a person has reached full emotional growth? When a Reddit user came in with the same question, numerous people chimed in in a Reddit thread sharing their personal experiences and the various signs of a mature man or woman.

Below, we've gathered some of their most upvoted answers sharing signs of a mature person. Do you agree with any of these statements? Which behavior or state of mind would you consider a sign of maturity? At what stage of emotional maturity would you consider yourself to be right now? Let us know!

#1

"When you realize 5k is a lot of money to spend, but not a lot of money to have."

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Lydia Nijland
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2 years ago

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    #2

    "When you have an opinion on something and once presented with new facts you are open to changing your opinion."

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    #4

    "Knowing when your night is over and you should probably go home."

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    #5

    "Realizing you're not as smart as you think."

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    Squirrelly Panda
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People who think they know everything really annoy those of us who do. (Joke)

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    #7

    "Patience. Understanding that not everything can be fixed immediately, and making peace with the fact that some things just take time."

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    Adam Zad
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Patience is the most difficult virtue to learn, because you need it in order to learn it.

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    #8

    "I was always told 'character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you', which to me sounds like a good standard for maturity."

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    #9

    "Being able to admit when your worst enemy has a good idea."

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    #10

    "Knowing which priorities to put first."

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    Nameless_User
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    + Knowing that sometimes the priorities of others are more important than your own.

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    #11

    "When you know you're right but don't feel the need to correct someone on it."

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    #12

    "When you consistently do the right thing for the right reasons - even if it involves sacrifice on your part."

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    #13

    "When you act and think the same whether you are alone or with others."

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    #14

    "I've heard this one and it has stuck with me: 'When your mom comes to you for advice.'"

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    #15

    "When someone hurts you and you try to understand them."

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    Squirrelly Panda
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, understand them. But just because I understand why you are angry doesn't mean I accept you yelling at or abusing me. Remember, understanding is not excusing anymore than forgiving is forgetting. Understanding can reduce resentment as well as make things better in the future for everyone.

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    #17

    "Not caring about how you look to others so long as you like yourself and are having a good time."

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    #18

    "You become an adolescent when you realize your parents are human beings just like everyone else. You become an adult when you forgive them for it."

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    #19

    "Having alcoholic drinks in the house that are not drunk on the day of purchase."

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    #20

    "Not buying every new iPhone model."

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    #21

    "Eating a sandwich using the heel of the loaf of bread."

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    #22

    "Sometimes it's better for an argument to never happen than for you to win it."

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    #23

    "Understanding the difference between needs and wants."

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    #24

    "Knowing when to put others before yourself and when you need to prioritize yourself."

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    #25

    "Honesty (to yourself) about what you want."

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    #26

    "Fully understanding that there are many different ways of looking at a problem and that not everyone will understand that."

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    #27

    "Being happy and proud for the successful people in your life without comparing yourself to them and at the same time being proud of your your own life."

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    #28

    "Being able to make a sincere apology. 'I'm sorry you took it that way' is not a sincere apology."

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    ShaZam Beaubien
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure if I believe this one. Sometimes people misunderstand what you say. Instead of just being a jerk .... being able to let a person know you never meant it that way ...

    #29

    "Not venting on social media about personal affairs."

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    #30

    "Be in charge of your own nutrition and health!"

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    #31

    "Checking your eggs at the grocery store."

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    #32

    "Stop complaining and just do it."

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    #33

    "Not having the urge to laugh when the ketchup bottle farts."

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    Scout Finch
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I guess I'm still not mature because I laugh at this ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

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    #34

    "Showing up on time."

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    #35

    "I don't need to tell people they're doing something wrong unless they ask me for my advice. I still often find myself biting my lip trying not to correct someone but I'm learning!"

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    Frank Miller
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There's nothing wrong with correcting someone, it's all about how you present it and how you deal with their reaction.

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    #36

    "Not getting embarrassed about necessary purchases. As a teenager and young woman, I got antsy purchasing tampons, picking up my birth control and even buying toilet paper."

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    ShaZam Beaubien
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ahh ... the days when made sure you had a female cashier to ring you up. Later in life, you get in line with the male cashier and have tampons, wine, and a pound of chocolate. Looking at him ... daring him to make a comment.

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    #37

    "Ohh, the weather is finally warm and sunny, what a good day to do laundry."

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    OnAFreakingRollercoaster
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love line-dried clothes. Clothes fluttering on my clothesline makes me happy for some reason.

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    #38

    "When you realize that just because something is for children, it doesn't mean it's childish."

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    #39

    "Knowing that you aren't entitled to anything in life, even your life."

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    RafCo (he/him)
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Id say you're entitled to your life. Nobody should have the right to take that away from you. This is a very dark view of the world. It's the libertarian, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, why should I pay for your kids education or healthcare, view of the world.

    #40

    "When social problems become your problems."

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    #41

    "When you announce you're going to have a baby and people are happy for you instead of saying, 'Oh, is everything okay?'"

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    #42

    "Drinking a few beers makes you wanna go to bed instead of partying."

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    #43

    "Knowing when you're hanging out with the wrong people and actively making a change."

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    #44

    "You don't get upset when you are not liked."

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    #45

    "Being able to walk away when you should. Whether it be a confrontation, relationship or bad situation."

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    #47

    "When you stop testing boundaries and start navigating them."

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    #48

    "When you stop rooting for Jerry and start rooting for Tom."

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    K- THULU
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hate tom and jerry anyway.... Anti cat propaganda made by pro rodent fascists....

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    #49

    "Eating things you don't like just because they're healthy."

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    Frank Miller
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't have to eat things you don't like just because they're healthy. It's more about NOT eating things that are unhealthy.

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    #50

    "Being a coachable person."

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