9 Signs of Maturity in Adolescence

The road to maturity in adolescence involves changes at the emotional level and in the ability to make one's own decisions. What are the signs of this state?

Are you aware of the signs of maturity in adolescence? Maturity seems to be a destination that must be reached, but in reality, it’s a path that’s traveled throughout life. Our different experiences gradually consolidate learning, skills, and abilities at different stages.

In this sense, adolescence is no exception because, during these years, we humans acquire and perfect the resources that prepare us for adulthood. It’s also the time during which we strengthen our autonomy and define our identity.

Each vital moment has its own “achievements” and all are necessary for growth and well-being. Let’s see what are the signs of maturity in adolescence.

The path to maturity in adolescence

At the beginning of life, children are self-centered and thus, early childhood is characterized by egocentrism. Gradually, they’re able to understand the intentions of others, which allows them to put themselves in the other’s place and begin to exercise empathy. This is one of the contributions derived from the theory of mind.

When adolescence arrives, great changes also take place: New challenges and lessons arise and the opinion of the peer group becomes crucial. Even more important than that of parents and relatives.

On a psychological level, in adolescence, young people reaffirm their identity, discover who they are, and differentiate themselves from their parents. The limbic system takes on special relevance, giving priority to emotions and leaving in the background the functions of the frontal cortex (control and planning).

All these changes that occur after puberty may give rise to some arguments. However, with patience and clear limits, the typical conflicts of the age are overcome in no time.

The 8 signs that suggest maturity in adolescents

There comes a time in adolescence when children begin to show certain signs of evolution. That’s why below, we’re going to share with you what the main signs of emotional maturity in adolescents are:

1. Responsibility for their actions. They don’t make excuses, even in moments of shame or anger. They can recognize that they have made inadequate decisions.
2. Personal opinions. The peer group is important, but all adolescents are capable of thinking and expressing different opinions without being influenced by their environment (mass phenomenon). Sometimes, young people can accept that there are situations with which they don’t agree and move away from them without fear of what others will say. The uncritical influence of others gives way to the development of their own criteria.
3. Quality emotional and emotional relationships. They establish healthier interpersonal bonds with clear limits.
4. Setting goals and objectives. Many adolescents show responsibility, interest, and willingness to achieve their goals, and this is something to be encouraged. For example, for participating in sports or any activity of their preference.
5. Impulse control. As they mature, adolescents don’t react with impulsivity or immediacy and are more reflective. That is, they can stop and think about what they want and what’s best for them.
6. Greater flexibility and openness to listen. They can understand that certain recommendations from the adult world can be useful to them and that it’s not a matter of “controlling” them or “going against them”. In turn, if the relationships established with parents are trusting, they’ll be the ones to approach them for advice or to share what’s happening to them.
7. The abandonment of extremes. Closely related to the previous point, it’s no longer a matter of adopting polar positions for confrontation, but learning to see and value the in-between.
8. Mastery of waiting and procrastination. The sense of urgency with which they handled themselves before begins to lose strength and they can understand that not everything has to happen right away.
9. Self-care. Faced with the time of a certain rebelliousness in regard to hygiene and personal image, young people are capable of taking care of themselves. Their parents no longer have to remind them about grooming or the importance of personal appearance, but they’re motivated to activate these behaviors on their own.

Of course, every young person has their own style and personality. Therefore, these characteristics of maturity in adolescence will be presented in different ways.

Also, it’s important to keep in mind that maturity isn’t something that remains static or for life. Rather, it’s something that we continue learning all the time from the experiences we go through.

Accompany and respect their own rhythm

Often, as we see them physically grown up, we believe that our teenagers no longer need us. When they were children, we didn’t take our eyes off them, but now that they’re more autonomous, we trust that they’re capable of solving almost everything. However, adolescence is still a challenging time of growth and uncertainty.

So, while we can allow them more freedom, it’s also important that we provide them with support and security so they know we’re there for them. It’ll also be important to respect their time and space, to advise them without criticizing, and to be close and assertive, without being controlling.

Finally, adolescence also represents a challenge for parents, as it’s a time of independence and much reflection. Children begin to chart their own path, and in this scenario, the best thing to do is to learn together and accompany each other every day.