It’s a common belief that girls mature faster than boys. This difference in maturity between genders is noticeable from a young age and continues into adulthood. There are various biological and social factors that contribute to girls demonstrating more maturity in their behavior and development compared to boys of the same age.
Biological Factors
There are some key biological differences between girls and boys that lead to girls exhibiting more maturity:
Earlier Puberty
Girls enter puberty earlier than boys, usually starting between ages 8-13, while boys begin puberty around ages 9-14. Puberty is the process of physical maturation driven by hormones. The earlier surge of hormones in girls jumpstarts their development sooner. Reaching puberty faster results in girls adopting more mature behaviors at an earlier age.
Brain Development
Research shows differences in how female and male brains develop. The area of the brain responsible for functions like impulse control, planning, and organization matures earlier in girls. The frontal lobe finishes developing around age 16 in girls and age 20 in boys. This accelerated brain development in girls contributes to their ability to demonstrate greater maturity and self-regulation in childhood.
| Brain Region | Development in Girls | Development in Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal Lobe | Fully develops by age 16 | Fully develops by age 20 |
| Amygdala | Matures early in puberty | Matures later in puberty |
Size of the Amygdala
The amygdala is the part of the brain involved in processing emotions. Research has observed that the amygdala develops earlier in girls, reaching full growth at the start of puberty, whereas in boys it continues growing past the onset of puberty. The amygdala being more mature in girls contributes to their greater emotional intelligence from a young age.
Social and Cultural Forces
In addition to biological differences, social and cultural factors also play a role in girls adopting more mature behaviors:
Gender Expectations
Society places expectations on girls to act in a more responsible, polite, and nurturing manner from childhood. Parents are more likely to entrust girls with caring for younger siblings. Teachers praise girls for sitting quietly and pay greater attention to their academic performance. These higher standards motivate girls to adopt mature conduct.
Earlier Independence
Research shows parents tend to grant girls more autonomy at an earlier age, allowing them to care for themselves and make their own decisions. Girls are often expected to help with chores and household tasks from a young age. This pushes girls towards self-sufficiency and accountable behavior.
Relationships and Communication
Girls tend to develop deeper friendships and value emotional communication skills. Their relationship focus teaches them empathy and understanding at a younger age. Girls also practice mature conflict resolution abilities through maintaining friendships and group harmony.
Maturity Differences in Childhood
The more mature behaviors exhibited by young girls compared to boys of the same age can be seen in several ways:
Impulse Control
Younger girls tend to have greater self-restraint and think before acting. They can resist impulses better, like not interrupting others or stopping themselves from grabbing desired objects. Girls also have longer attention spans.
Reading and Writing Abilities
Girls typically pick up reading and writing skills faster in early grades. They have more interest in language activities, with longer vocabularies at young ages. Their verbal development equips them to communicate in a polished manner.
Organizational Skills
Girls demonstrate better abilities to get organized from an early age. They keep their possessions and work areas neater, have better time management, and are more apt to make schedules and lists.
Rule-Following
Young girls tend to have greater respect for rules and structure. They follow school rules, parental instructions, and social etiquette more readily than boys of the same age.
| Behavior | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Impulse control | Better self-restraint | More impulsive |
| Literacy skills | Faster development | Slower development |
| Organization | More orderly habits | Messier habits |
| Rule-following | Greater compliance | More defiance |
Maturity Differences in Teens
As children transition into adolescence, maturity gaps between girls and boys tend to increase:
Planning Ahead
Teenage girls put more thought into preparing for their future. They take their academic trajectory more seriously, thinking about college and careers. Girls also have greater foresight about the consequences of risky behaviors.
Self-Discipline
Teen girls exhibit more self-control when it comes to resisting peer pressure and dangerous impulses. They manage their time better and are more self-motivated to achieve goals. Girls also procrastinate less than teen boys.
Healthy Choices
Female teens make superior choices when it comes to looking after their physical and mental wellbeing. They are more likely to maintain balanced diets, exercise regimens, and sleep schedules. Girls also utilize counseling and medical help more readily.
Responsibility
Teenage girls demonstrate greater ability to take responsibility for their actions and meet their obligations. They think more about how their choices affect others and show consideration. Girls are also more likely to admit mistakes and apologize.
| Area | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Future planning | More forethought | Less consideration |
| Self-discipline | Better self-control | More impulsive |
| Health choices | Make healthier decisions | Make riskier choices |
| Responsibility | Greater accountability | Less reliability |
Reasons for Boys Lagging Behind in Maturity
There are a few key explanations for why boys tend to demonstrate less maturity than girls of the same age:
Slower Brain Development
As discussed, the male brain takes longer to develop impulse control and executive functioning. The slower maturation of these regulatory centers contributes to less prudent behavior in boys.
Less Oxytocin
The hormone oxytocin promotes bonding and emotional empathy. Girls have higher natural levels from infancy through adulthood. Their greater oxytocin provides girls an emotional advantage to exercise mature behavior.
Less Verbal Development
Boys generally have weaker language abilities from early on. Their less sophisticated verbal skills make it harder for boys to communicate feelings and ideas in a mature manner.
Less Motivation to Mature
Boys face relatively fewer social pressures to adopt adult behaviors and mindsets. Without the same extrinsic motivation, boys are slower to take responsibility and demonstrate maturity.
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Slower brain development | Impulse control centers lag in boys |
| Less oxytocin | The bonding hormone is lower in males |
| Weak verbal skills | Boys have less developed language abilities |
| Less motivation | Boys face fewer pressures to mature |
Can Maturity Gaps Close in Adulthood?
Research on brain development and social behaviors indicates the maturity gap between genders can persist into adulthood, though some differences narrow with age:
Impulse Control
Men eventually catch up to women in impulse control by their mid-20s when their prefrontal cortex finishes developing. Both genders can demonstrate prudent decision-making in adulthood.
Communication Styles
How men and women communicate continues varying somewhat in adulthood. Women retain a more emotionally open and verbal style overall. However, men close the gap as they learn to discuss feelings.
Risk Taking
Male risk-taking and thrill-seeking tendencies taper off but do not disappear in adulthood. Men remain more likely to engage in behaviors like gambling and extreme sports.
Aggression
Grown men are less overtly aggressive and competitive than teen boys. But adult males still commit more violent crimes on average indicating a lingering maturity gap in controlling aggression.
| Area | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Impulse control | Equal to men | Catches up to women |
| Communication | More verbal | Less verbal |
| Risk taking | More risk averse | More risk seeking |
| Aggression | Less aggressive | More aggressive |
Conclusion
In summary, girls do tend to show more maturity in their behavior and attitudes from childhood through the teen years and even into adulthood. There are biological and social factors that promote earlier development of self-control, verbal skills, emotional intelligence, and long-term thinking in girls. This allows them to adopt accountable, responsible conduct at younger ages.
Boys eventually catch up in certain areas of maturity but some gaps remain due to innate brain differences. While individuals vary, understanding the developmental and gender differences that contribute to girls demonstrating greater maturity can help parents and educators support teens of both sexes. Focusing on emotional bonding, verbal skills, impulse control, and motivation can help guide boys towards more mature conduct.