Emotional maturity refers to insight, wisdom and emotional
development that is more advanced than your chronological
age. Social maturity refers to your social competence
(skill, knowledge and attitude.) Someone may be chronologically
mature, but may be emotionally immature or intellectually
mature, but emotionally immature. Your actual (chronological)
age does not determine your emotional maturity. The good
news is that social and emotional maturity can be developed
by choice.
The quality of your relationships depends on your emotional
growth and development. If you understand yourself, you
will be able to understand and develop your relationships
with others.
Emotional
immaturity
The symptoms of emotional immaturity as follows:
a. Inappropriate dependence.
b. Easily influenced.
c. Indecisiveness.
d. Quick judgments.
e. Fear of change.
a. Need for immediate
attention.
b. Instant gratification.
c. Impulsiveness.
d. Disloyalty.
e. Superficial values.
f. Thoughtlessness.
g. Inability to control finances.
h. Lack of or poor social skills.
a. Demanding.
b. Competitive.
c. Lack of responsibility.
d. Insensitive.
e. Lack of empathy.
f. Selfishness.
g. Low self-esteem.
h. Attention-seeking.
i. Constantly fishing for compliments.
j. Need validation from others.
Emotional
maturity
The characteristics of emotional maturity are as follows:
| 1. |
Ability
to do introspection and deal with realities. |
| 2. |
Learn from experiences. |
| 3. |
Cope with frustration. |
| 4. |
Know how to
give and receive love. |
| 5. |
Resolve conflict amicably. |
| 6. |
Cope with stress. |
How to develop your emotional
maturity
| 1. |
Do
introspection. Ask for feedback from your partner
and/or others regarding your behaviour. Do a “Stop,
start, continue” assessment. Ask others
to tell you what you should stop, start and continue
to do. Listen without argument to what they have
to say. |
| 2. |
Face reality;
acknowledge your flaws and issues. |
| 3. |
Intend to change
the behaviours which do not serve you or others. |
| 4. |
Become and remain
unselfish. |
| 5. |
Do not control
others. Seek to resolve differences amicably and
do not be demanding. |
| 6. |
Socialise only with people who bring
out the best in you. |
| 7. |
Embrace your spirituality. Search
for the meaning of life. |
By Elsabé Manning
