Maturity...when does it really happen?

[Deathslayr]

I don't mean to say that it is immature, but acting like some immature people would. Or maybe I just word things horribly.

[Skirata]

Maturity is a phase in life many desire but I dislike. Staying young forever is my dream.

[Nesterus]

maturity is just another label imposed upon you by society who hopes for you to act as they wish you to act





follow this bird's example

[Deathslayr]

And your serious opinion Nesterus?
Or is that actually your serious opinion?

[Skirata]

I can agree with it.

[Nesterus]

where is it decreed that I must be serious?

[Arathorn136]

Obviously, you are considered mature when you repeatedly act that way.

I would like to draw attention to this one particular sentence out of SbD's reply. In particular to one word. What is this about "acting" mature? So judging by the way we commonly phrase it, I am beginning to wonder whether everything is just an act, including maturity. We "act" like we're older, "act" like we're wise, but maybe it is just out nature to "act" goofy.
I get what you guys are trying to say here, but I believe this is an interesting way to steer this conversation.

[Deathslayr]

It is indeed an interesting way.
I am yet to comment on this, I will have to think on it.

[SickbyDefinition]

He's partly right. Being mature is a status to many, and the status requires certain behavior.



Thorn: I normally do not act in a way that does not reflect my feelings or thought process. Most people don't, either. I assume you are the same way, your actions reflect how you feel and think. That is why I included the point about acting mature as well as several points about the metaphysical side of maturity. It is implicit that you act mature because you are having mature thoughts.

[Arathorn136]

But are we really describing ourselves properly as human beings, as living, thinking, feeling, comprehending beings, if we always state how we "act"? So is everything just a performance based on what we are taught by our elders as we grow, and how we are influenced socially by our peers in all settings?
I am obviously using a particular definition of the word "act" here, but all the same. Are we truly ourselves if we are always "acting"?