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Do men ever emotionally mature?
By Emily Francos — Last updated on Aug 18, 2022
Whether you're a woman wondering what's going through your man's head or a mother trying to figure out how your son will ever be able to handle life on his own, the lingering question is the same: when do men mature?
Turns out you're not alone in wondering. In fact, a 2013 study commissioned by Nickelodeon UK found out that men don't mature until 11 years after women.
What age do men emotionally mature?
While women mature around the average age of 32, men don't emotionally mature until the age of 43.
Regarding the study's results, Vice President and Director of Programming for Nickelodeon UK, Tim Patterson, said, "As a man, especially one who works for a children's channel, the question if men ever reach maturity is one I am well accustomed to."
In this study, both men and women agreed that women mature faster when they were asked. They also found that men thought they were much more immature than women.
Women also said that they are more likely the adult in the relationship and that they are the ones who make the most decisions, especially when they are important. Women in the study admitted that they quickly lose patience with men's immaturity.
The study found that "46 percent of women have had a relationship in which they felt they had to mother their partner a bit too much," and that women find men's biggest problem in maturity is that they find "breaking wind funny," they drive "too fast," and they play video games.
Another thing the study found was that British women had to tell their partner to "act his age" an average of 14 times a year.
What is maturity?
The Oxford Academic Journal explains, "Human brain maturation is characterized by the prolonged development of structural and functional properties of large-scale networks that extend into adulthood."
And according to Medical Daily, "Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have made it possible for scientists to watch the rate at which the PFC (Prefrontal Cortex) matures, and have discovered the male brain doesn't fully develop until age 25. Meanwhile, women experience a maturity rate of 21 years old."
Researchers have also found that the brain physically matures "from the back of the brain to the front, which explains why the prefrontal cortex develops last" because it's at the front of the brain.
Medical Daily also describes, "With an immature PFC, even though the person can intellectualize dangerous situations or poor behavior, they may engage regardless."
The study determined the most common maturity failings men have until they reach their 40s.
1. Immature men find their own farts and burps hilarious.
2. They like eating fast food at 2 a.m.
3. Men enjoy playing video games.
4. Immature men love driving too fast or "racing" another car.
5. They snicker at rude words.
6. Men love driving with loud music.
7. They also like playing practical jokes.
8. Immature men try to beat children at games and sports because they don't like to lose.
9. Immature men stay silent during arguments.
10. They are not able to cook simple meals.
11. They love re-telling the same silly jokes and stories when they are with their guy friends.
12. They do not like talking about themselves or having proper conversations with women.
13. Immature men hate reading books because they have a short attention span and/or they find books boring.
14. Immature men also love doing crazy dance moves whenever they feel the urge.
15. They still have their parents doing their laundry.
16. Immature men still have their mom or dad make them breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
17. They wear sneakers to night clubs because they think it makes them cool.
18. Immature men own a skateboard, BMX bike, or a 4-wheeler.
19. They do not like eating vegetables.
20. These men change jobs regularly.
21. Immature men get way too excited over parties and get-togethers.
22. Immature men sometimes love trying to do wheelies and stunts on their bikes.
23. They enjoy driving a modified car or one with a loud exhaust to make their presence known.
24. They are incredibly cocky and love showing off about how girls are attracted to them.
25. Immature men frequently wear pajamas.
26. They use sketchy chat-up lines to meet women.
27. Men with emotional immaturity love showing off about protein shakes, weight-lifting, and how much they can "lift."
28. Immature men love littering.
29. They like wearing saggy-crotched jeans because it makes them look cool.
30. Immature men always have a cartoon bedspread in their room.
How does male immaturity affect relationships?
According to the study, lots of people think it's important to stay young at heart because it keeps things in a relationship fun, fresh, and interesting.
One in three people think immaturity is something good when you are trying to bond with children. So, if you are a child at heart, you are more likely to get along and have fun.
However, the study did find that 30 percent of women have ended a relationship based on a man's maturity level. So keep that in mind the next time you date an immature man who just isn't on your maturity level.
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Emily Francos is a writer and editor with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature. Her work focuses primarily on astrology, lifestyle and relationships. To read more of her work, follow her on Facebook.