Maturity is defined as a willingness to accept responsibility, or maintain poise in serious situations. Meanwhile, age is just a number, or a length of time a person has lived. While research has said a person’s brain doesn’t fully develop until age 25, young people can still exhibit maturity.

High schoolers seem to be known as immature and that is a generalization, because there are some I’ve noticed making a difference in this school and in this community. Maturity begins to grow when you realize you’re not the center of everything and not everything requires a reaction.  

Experiences rather than age have the biggest ability to shape our maturity and growth. Any situation we face and our ability to handle it can help a person acquire knowledge.

For example, a child who has faced hardships like poverty can be more mature and appreciate the small things rather than a child who has been given everything and complains over trivial things. The way teenagers are brought up, our environment, and the people we surround ourselves with all play a pivotal role proving that maturity isn’t a one size fits all type of thing.

There is often a misconception that teenagers aren’t mature enough to make a difference and this is unfortunate. Malala Yousafzai is considered by many as one of the most influential teens in the world for her work in education rights and activist work. Young people are starting their own businesses and working jobs to pay for college. I’m a high school sophomore who works up to thirty hours a week, demonstrating responsibility and independence which are both qualities of maturity, despite my young age.

People mature when they realize they are in control of everything including their thought and actions which can happen at any age. Deciding what they want to do for the rest of their life, whether it’s at 16 or 30 is showing maturity. Learning from past mistakes and having them influence future choices is showing maturity. Despite the stereotype, teenagers are often more mature than they are given credit.

Sincerely,

Sydney