The Age At Which Men Finally Mature, According To Research

Hint: It's much later than women.

Man being goofy and woman looking serious Syda Productions | Canva / Juanmonino | Getty Images Signature
Advertisement

Ladies, if you've ever found yourself questioning your man's maturity level, it seems that there may be a scientific reason behind it after all.

A 2013 study suggested that the average period of life in which a woman matures is by the time she's 32 — a full 11 years before men do, at age 43.

Women really do mature faster than men, says most obvious study ever

RELATED: 15 Things Emotionally Mature People Do

Advertisement

Now, this is just an average, and some people may never fully mature. But if you're wondering why your guy still thinks poop jokes are the epitome of humor, well, it might simply be because he's less mature. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing!

Men and women involved in the study had their own opinions about it; for example, men were nearly twice as likely to describe themselves as being immature than women were. One in four men believed that they were "actively immature," which they probably either thought was a silly notion that might cause a laugh or a very mature response in which they acknowledged their immaturity.

Advertisement

Do you think that you're the "mature" one in your relationship? Turns out the women involved in the study were also two times likelier to feel that they were the grown-up between them and their significant other.

The VP Director of Programming for Nickelodeon UK, Tim Patterson, was the one who initiated the study. As a man who helps make cartoons for a living, he wondered if men ever really "grow up."

"As a man, especially one who works for a children's channel, the question of men ever reach maturity is one I am well accustomed to."

RELATED: 10 Beautiful Things That Happen When You Let Yourself Grow Up

Advertisement

Just about one-quarter of the women surveyed felt that they made the "big" decisions in their relationship, and the same number of women wished their partner would talk about how they're feeling more often.

These UK ladies also had the same woes that many women around the world have with their men. Some of the biggest issues they named were men finding farts and burping absolutely hysterical, driving too fast, eating fast food at 2 AM, and playing too many video games.

Just about 3 in 10 women admitted to ending a relationship due to not being able to put up with their immature guy's shenanigans, and around 46 percent of women had been in a relationship where they had to mother their partner more than they felt comfortable doing so.

According to the study, the average English woman also has to remind her man to "act his age" more than once per month, which totals out to around 14 times a year. Wow.

Advertisement

The good news for those of us who haven't quite reached the pinnacle of maturation yet? About 1 in 4 people believe that immaturity is healthy for a relationship since it helps keep things fun. And 1 in 3 people found it an important part of bonding with children.

So ladies, if you think your man is a bit less mature than you'd like, or you're the one laughing at rude words, then don't fear. Use that immaturity for what it was intended: having fun.

You can see the whole list of "immature signs" below.

Top maturity failings:

1. Finding farts and burps hilarious

2. Eating fast food late in the evening/early morning

3. Playing videogames

4. Driving too fast or "racing" other cars on the road

5. Laughing at inappropriate words

6. Listening to loud music in the car

7. Practical jokes

8. Trying to beat children in games/sports

Let the kids have fun.

Advertisement

9. Staying silent during an argument

10. Not capable of cooking simple meals

RELATED: The Age Where You'll Finally Feel Like An Adult

11. Recycling the same jokes and stories with your friends

12. Refuse to talk about themselves or have proper conversations

13. Hating books or refusing to read because of (list ridiculous excuses here)

14. Crazy dance moves

15. Mother still does their laundry

16. Mother still cooks them meals

17. Wearing sneakers when going out on a date

18. Owning a skateboard or BMX

19. Refusing to eat vegetables

20. Inability to keep a job

21. Getting way too excited over a boy's night out/bachelor party

22. Trying to do stunts on their bikes

23. Driving a modified car with loud exhaust

24. Bragging about their attractiveness to other women

25. Wearing cartoon pajamas

26. Using lame or silly pick-up lines

If you want a partner, this is not the way to do it.

27. Boasting about how much they "lift"

28. Littering

29. Wearing pants that "sag" in the crotch or butt

30. Still using a childish/cartoon bedspread

RELATED: 5 Signs You're Tragically In Love With A Man-Child

Advertisement

Merethe Najjar is a professional writer, editor, and award-winning fiction author. Her articles have been featured in The Aviator Magazine, Infinite Press, Yahoo, BRIDES, and more.