Chaos Project

General => Chat => Intelligent Debate => Topic started by: MarkHest on January 08, 2014, 09:38:47 am

Title: What makes an adult?
Post by: MarkHest on January 08, 2014, 09:38:47 am
Feel free to throw your thoughts out there. What do you think is required to make a person more of an adult other than just your age?

I have everything said right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19PVj7ByYn4
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: PhoenixFire on January 08, 2014, 09:59:44 am
To be honest, that's about really all there is to it. Governments decided that at a certain age, you're considered an "adult". Other than that, I honestly don't see a factor that says someone is or isn't an adult. For example, most people would call me 'an adult', but really, I'm still a kid at heart; I love going to the playground with my daughter, going sledding with her in the winter, and I watch most of her favorite shows with her, and have no complaints about it. I can't say that's how I am when she's not around, but I know ALOT of people that would say those are childish actions. I'm the type of person that still tries to see the good in people, even when it is obviously not there, and I always hope for the best, even when logically, it can't/won't happen. I make mistakes that some people would say an adult should not make, yet here I am, making those mistakes anyways. On the other hand, I know few people at my age who have gone through the things I have; I lost my little sister several years ago, after being hit while riding her bike ~ she died in my arms at the hospital. I lived under a bridge for a month, up in NH right before winter, after the mother of my child and I broke up. I've gotten banned from a college campus (although I suppose that's not really an "adult" thing hehehe). I could go on and on, but I think that you get the point. I think it's an individual definition, but on a whole, can be generalized as someone who has reached a certain age, as defined by their country, who is supposed to be legally and morally responsible in said country, following their laws and customs.
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Blizzard on January 08, 2014, 01:23:49 pm
I think a good definition is that you are responsible, independent and understand that not everything in life is that serious. The important thing is the perspective on the world you have. I have a very mature view, but I act childish most of the time. And some of the most mature people I know act childish most of the time.

With responsible I mean that you won't go off do crazy shit that will really get you in trouble (e.g. criminal activity).

With independent I mean that you can hold your own and don't need anybody's help to survive (e.g. parents having to give you money for). Sure, sometimes you lose your job and do have to depend on other people, but that doesn't make you less of an adult. You would only be less of an adult if you just coped with it and just accepted things rather than trying to change things for the better.

But there is a flipside. Just because you don't "need" anybody else, it doesn't mean you don't want anybody else in your life. Having a stable social circle and great friends can not only make your life better, but they may also help you achieve more than you could ever do alone by yourself. But I might be starting to go too much offtopic now.
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Seltzer Cole on February 13, 2014, 01:56:26 am
Mental maturity. Enuff said.
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Tazero on April 18, 2014, 06:47:57 am
When you give yourself responsibility and take full accountability for your actions...
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Crasger on April 18, 2014, 09:10:11 am
I guess it's a combination of what's above, among other things:

* When the government permits you to do things people 18+ can do.
* Mental maturity
* Maturity in general
* Your age.
* Physical factor.
* Responsibility.

I have second thoughts about mental maturity though...
I mean what if a 12-year old, by some strange circumstance were to think and act mature? I mean REALLY think and act like one. Instead of just stating that he is mature and can handle certain things, the child DOES act mature. That would technically make the child an adult now, but that would be silly.

Would it?
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Blizzard on April 18, 2014, 10:20:52 am
I can speak from personal experience here. I've met a few people who were young, but mature. And even though their way of thinking is really mature and they can see the world as it is, they are inexperienced. IMO experience is very important for maturity. It's one thing to know some concepts, but to truly understand them, one has to experience them. This is the main boundary when it comes to young people who are mature. But they should never be dismissed because of that. Rather they should be encouraged to experience the world in order to deeper understand things.
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Crasger on April 18, 2014, 11:08:19 am
Quote from: Blizzard on April 18, 2014, 10:20:52 am
IMO experience is very important for maturity. It's one thing to know some concepts, but to truly understand them, one has to experience them. This is the main boundary when it comes to young people who are mature. But they should never be dismissed because of that. Rather they should be encouraged to experience the world in order to deeper understand things.


This can easily be compared to experience points in an RPG. Which is, ironically the topic of most of the boards of this site; Role Playing Games.

When children are shielded from the truth by their parents, not only are they harming the child by not exposing them to the real world, and therefore will prevent them into turning into proper adults, but they are also leading the child into a world of delusion and lies.

For example, the nice little lady that runs "Amy's Baking Company". She can't handle criticism. She lives in a delusional world where every form of criticism that's looking down on them is an attack and they should fight back the criticism and stand up. Leads me to question whether those people were raised properly by their parents. I therefore consider Amy and her husband Samy of that media frenzy that is "Amy's Baking Co." two children and not adults. At least, based on the logic of this discussion.

I really hate it when parents raise their children that way, but I guarantee if I was a parent that would be an instinct, for some reason.
Title: Re: What makes an adult?
Post by: Heretic86 on April 18, 2014, 06:31:20 pm
I dont know about you all but I actually value immaturity, because its fun!

Im not a grown up, Im an adultolescent!