Social maturity is an important parameter that determines the life of an individual in society, his interaction with others, beliefs and worldview. This characteristic is heterogeneous among different members of society. It is influenced by age, family, psychological and many other factors.
What it is
The concept of social maturity implies a state of personality, which is characterized by integrity of views, predictability of behavior, social orientation of life. In other words, we can say that this is the ability of the individual to correctly perceive himself and others. It also refers to independence, which is expressed in the ability to independently make vital decisions without the help and approval of others.
Nevertheless, do not be mistaken about the fact that social maturity is accompanied by a lack of need for contacts with other people. Moreover, a mature person knows how to compare his experience with the experience of others, as well as soberly perceive the assessment of his activities. However, the surrounding significant people can only be advisers or critics, and not the arbiters of thoughts and deeds. We can say that from the moment of maturity a person becomes a full member of society.
Some researchers are inclined to the opinion that social maturity is expressed in some internal attitudes that make a person concentrate only on those values that have a positive impact on human development. In particular, a rational attitude towards material means is being formed. A person perceives money as a means of satisfying needs, and not as a fetish.
Term structure
Social maturity includes such key types of maturity:
- Civil. This is an awareness of your duty to the country and society. It also includes awareness of the need for work, as well as responsibility for its results. This category includes awareness of prohibited and permitted actions, as well as the responsibility that may arise if you go beyond the limits defined by the state and society.
- Ideological and political. This refers to the existence of a formed idea of the direction in which the state and society should develop. We can also talk about active participation in the civil-political processes taking place in society.
- Moral. The adoption of moral standards and their application in real life, the presence of conscience, the ability to empathize. You can also include awareness of the meaning of creating a family.
- Aesthetic. The ability to feel and perceive the beautiful in nature, art and everyday life.
Indicators of human social maturity
It is worth noting that the signs of a person as a mature member of society are quite blurred. Different researchers evaluate this parameter differently. Nevertheless, most experts agree with the opinion of Sukhobskaya, which identifies such indicators of human social maturity:
- The ability to independently predict your behavior in various life situations, based on the ability to extract and analyze information. It also refers to the ability to link the findings to a specific situation and field of activity.
- The ability to mobilize internal and physical resources to translate their own decisions into reality. At the same time, it is important to be able to withstand both external obstacles and internal barriers (laziness, fatigue, lack of motivation).
- The ability to independently monitor and evaluate the course of their own actions, as well as the results at intermediate stages and based on the results of work.
- The ability to impartially and objectively evaluate one’s own thoughts and actions.
- The ability to learn from both one’s own actions and the experience of others. Due to this, the quality of forecasting behavior and its results should improve.
- The ability to adequately respond to their own behavior and surrounding situations.
Main criteria
Researchers identify the following basic criteria for social maturity of a person:
- Awareness of responsibility. A person must be aware of his choice, and also take responsibility for the consequences of its implementation. That is, a mature person should look for answers to questions in himself, and the reasons in other people and external circumstances.
- Reasonable independence. Man must have inner freedom of choice. Nevertheless, the individual must be aware of the boundaries when the manifestation of his own freedom can cause discomfort to others.
- The ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. A mature person should be able to soberly assess their capabilities in order to live in a "here and now" state, and not to fantasize without reason. Also, the individual should not give others unrealizable promises.
- A sense of integrity of the individual and moral principles. A mature person should accept himself as a whole, without hiding his shortcomings and weaknesses. He should also take failure as a lesson, not as a tragedy. In this case, you need to behave in accordance with moral standards. This should happen according to inner convictions, and not out of fear of punishment.
- The ability to adapt. A person should be able to abandon those beliefs and behaviors that are no longer relevant. Old well-established models can inhibit development, which can cause serious disagreements with society.
- Tolerance. A mature person must understand that people are not the same. The difference is due to gender, age, national, professional and other characteristics. This should be treated with patience and understanding, without showing aggressive emotions. Tolerance should concern not only individuals, but also their point of view.
- Self-criticism. A mature person must be able to see their flaws. He accepts some of them with humor, and some encourage him to work on himself and to improve himself.
- Spirituality. This is a necessary condition for the development of man, which determines a harmonious interaction with the world, the formation of his own "I".
Levels of social maturity
Society is heterogeneous. Its members are characterized by a different orientation of thoughts and actions, as well as a different degree of development. In this regard, the following levels of social maturity are rightly distinguished:
- Optimal. A person has formed value orientations (in social, professional and family life) that do not conflict. There is a focus on the development of intellectual abilities and the realization of creative potential. As a rule, there are realistic ideas about life prospects and areas of activity. At the same time, there is a steady interest in knowing the events and phenomena of the world.
- Valid. The situation of social maturity is determined by the motives of well-being and prestige, which is expressed in the choice of the sphere of activity, the circle of communication and worldview orientations. The personality is characterized by uncertainty and inconsistency of choice, which is highly susceptible to the influence of a changing situation. Depending on how the mood in society is changing, plans and views are being revised. People, as a rule, are not ready for an independent life and associate the achievement of success with external circumstances and the actions of other people.
- Critical. The situation of social maturity is determined by the lack of motivation for development. The main desire in life is to avoid troubles and uncomfortable situations. As a rule, such people do not show interest in events taking place in society and the surrounding world as a whole. They are not psychologically prepared to resolve issues related to social development and life choices.
Puberty
When studying the social situation of development in adulthood, close attention is paid to puberty. It would be wrong to consider this aspect exclusively from a biological point of view. In addition to physiological processes, it is also worth highlighting the changes occurring in the central nervous system, which leaves an imprint on social life. This is what it is all about:
- intense personality formation;
- a change in attitude towards members of the opposite sex;
- the need for a sensitive attitude from the inner circle;
- manifestation of initiative and independence;
- needs for tact and respect from others.
As for social puberty, its onset, as a rule, is spaced in time with biological maturity. We are talking about a responsible attitude to sexual life, in particular, to conception and the birth of children. A person is aware of the need to create favorable conditions for the implementation of this function.
Maturity of children
Under the social maturity of a child is meant the age-appropriate ability to communicate with peers, as well as older people. It also refers to the child’s ability to perceive norms and rules, as well as follow them. In order to understand how much the child’s social development corresponds to his age, it’s enough to show a little observation. As a rule, kindergarten teachers or school teachers have the best opportunity.
The basic sign of a child’s maturity is the ability to get along with their peers, interact with them during the game and training, as well as the ability to adequately protect themselves in the event of attacks and aggression. Also, the child should be able to change communication styles. That is, behavior in a society with children and adults, with friends and strangers should be appropriate. The child must understand where you can play and joke, and where you need to behave calmly and seriously.
Another criterion for the social development of maturity in a child is the ability to perceive and abide by established rules and norms. Most children agree that you can’t fight, take other people's things, and so on. Nevertheless, far from all agree with these norms and follow them. This is one of the key indicators by which one can judge maturity.
Adolescence maturity
Adolescence is considered one of the most difficult in both psychology and sociology. It is during this period that the active formation of personality takes place. Here are the main value indicators of adolescent social maturity:
- Moral standards. Shifts in the intellect of a person who has reached adolescence allow him to assimilate generally accepted moral standards, as well as be guided by them in his activities and judge on their basis the behavior of other people. In addition, their own beliefs are formed, which make up the moral character.
- Worldview installations. In process of mental development, broadening of horizons and formation of theoretical interests takes place. The teenager begins to realize himself as part of society and gradually approaches the choice of a future place in it. This determines the main motives of activity.
- Collectivism. Teenagers tend to strive to demonstrate and prove their weight and relevance in an adult society. Thus, they strive for a collective life and activity. The skills of cooperation with the preservation of independence of judgments are formed.
- Social responsibility. Communicating with others, adolescents often find themselves in situations that force them to make independent decisions. This process is followed by consideration of alternatives with the choice of the best. Moreover, the teenager is individually responsible for the choice made.
- Self-esteem. It is important for a teenager to objectively evaluate their achievements in activities that are meaningful to them. Thus, a reorientation occurs. Internal evaluation becomes more important than external.
- Meaning of life. With the onset of adolescence, the individual begins to work on revealing his inner world. It is in knowing oneself and searching for one's destiny that the meaning of an individual’s life at a young age lies.
- A family. With adolescence, relationships with family members begin to be built in a new way. As a rule, the desire to find a unique "I" is accompanied by a complication of relationships with parents. Nevertheless, the family continues to play a decisive role in the formation of personality.
Typology of adolescents
Given the complexity of adolescence, it is not surprising that children develop heterogeneous and multidirectional. By the degree of social maturity, one can distinguish the following types of adolescents:
- Oriented to adults and adulthood. The nature of adolescents is fully determined by the norms that are set and set by the older ones (parents, teachers). This type is characterized by low maturity.
- Society-oriented teens. They are characterized by a high level of maturity. Such individuals are characterized by the search for their place by joining the team. Despite the fact that it greatly facilitates their social life, it impedes cultural and intellectual development.
- Teenagers opposing themselves. They do not want to have common features and interests with representatives of their generation. This is manifested in non-standard hobbies and antisocial behavior. The purpose of this behavior is self-affirmation.
- Oriented to non-institutional norms. Adolescents are united in groups living "their" life, different from the generally accepted (informal currents). As a rule, communities are formed according to the age principle.
- Striving to go beyond the group. Such adolescents strive for vigorous activity and learning new things.
Maturity of young people
The formation of the social maturity of youth is characterized by such key properties:
- Irreversibility. The development process is characterized by the constant accumulation and augmentation of knowledge and experience. The amount of knowledge does not decrease, but over time, some of them may lose their relevance.
- Directivity. The development of a young person has a specific goal, which is expressed in the desired state of the future. This is usually a position in society and marital status.
- Pattern. In the process of development, significant regular relationships between processes and phenomena of reality are revealed.
The social maturity of youth is manifested immediately in several areas. Namely:
- Civil. We are talking about legislative standards that determine the eligibility of a person in certain issues. So, civil legal capacity begins at the age of 21, and by the age of 30 a person receives the right to participate in elections for executive positions. At the age of 35, a person can already claim the highest post in the state - the President.
- Economic. Following professional self-determination, a certain level of qualification is being obtained with subsequent employment. Different professional and social groups have a different level of material income. As a rule, it is the lowest among representatives of working specialties. Therefore, most young people seek to obtain a diploma of the highest qualification. This opens up a wide range of career self-realization opportunities and increasing the level of material well-being.
- Spiritual. After the end of the teenage period, the formation of the worldview and life principles is completed. A person clearly realizes what is good and what is bad, in his actions he is guided not only by profit, but also by conscience. Nevertheless, at the age of about 27-28 years, a spiritual and philosophical crisis occurs, during which there is a revision of the value system.
- Family As a rule, the main indicator of the independence and responsibility of young people is the creation of a family and the birth of children. Moreover, this process should occur consciously, with preliminary preparation of the material base.