Continued from part 2
Question From a Reader
A:Huh?
You’re kidding, right?
No. It’s not safe to say that. In fact, it’s downright dangerous. The last thing an irresponsible person needs is another excuse not to step up.
There’s a difference between maturity that develops innately and maturity that is learned. One is a matter of genetics; the other, a matter of discipline.
Women hit puberty faster than men. That’s why a girl was probably the tallest person in your class from 5th-8th grade. But that wasn’t the case in high school, right?
Have you heard about someone that is 40 going on 10? How about someone that is 8 going on 28? Mental maturity develops at an individual-specific rate that is determined by a number of factors including an individual’s desires, thought pattern, and environment.
For years I was financially immature. I was clueless when it came to doing things like balancing a check book. That has nothing to do with genetics. Good financial habits just weren’t a part of my repertoire at the time. After accidentally bouncing one too many checks I decided to show some discipline, put in some work, and develop new habits.
That’s the kind of maturity that great women have in most, if not all, of the areas of their lives. That kind of maturity is synonymous with discipline.
Keep this in mind. It’s no easier for a self-disciplined individual to take on responsibility than it is for a lazy individual to take on responsibility. The former simply chooses to meet the challenge head on. The latter avoids the challenge.
Question From a Reader
Q:Mr. Duncan, in the first part of your series on the qualities of good women, you mentioned that maturity plays a part in being responsible. Is it safe to say that since women mature faster then men it’s always going to be harder for men to be as responsible?
A:Huh?
You’re kidding, right?
No. It’s not safe to say that. In fact, it’s downright dangerous. The last thing an irresponsible person needs is another excuse not to step up.
There’s a difference between maturity that develops innately and maturity that is learned. One is a matter of genetics; the other, a matter of discipline.
Women hit puberty faster than men. That’s why a girl was probably the tallest person in your class from 5th-8th grade. But that wasn’t the case in high school, right?
Have you heard about someone that is 40 going on 10? How about someone that is 8 going on 28? Mental maturity develops at an individual-specific rate that is determined by a number of factors including an individual’s desires, thought pattern, and environment.
For years I was financially immature. I was clueless when it came to doing things like balancing a check book. That has nothing to do with genetics. Good financial habits just weren’t a part of my repertoire at the time. After accidentally bouncing one too many checks I decided to show some discipline, put in some work, and develop new habits.
That’s the kind of maturity that great women have in most, if not all, of the areas of their lives. That kind of maturity is synonymous with discipline.
Keep this in mind. It’s no easier for a self-disciplined individual to take on responsibility than it is for a lazy individual to take on responsibility. The former simply chooses to meet the challenge head on. The latter avoids the challenge.
Up next: Pt. 4- A Conversation with Wendy Wilson, Director of Minority Advising at Darton College
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