# Are people today taking longer to grow up? Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 28, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-today-taking-longer-to-grow-up-why/287113 "2005-01-28T15:15:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-today-taking-longer-to-grow-up-why/287113/61 "2005-02-04T01:34:47Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > I don’t…what, are we going to send out drill sergeants to everyone’s homes to demand point-by-point lifestyle accountability and fill out a report? At the end of which you will be awarded some sort of official certificate of rights and responsibilities, or shipped off to undergo merciless re-education? > **[Definition of adult | Dictionary.com](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/adult)** > > Definition of adult from Dictionary.com, the world’s leading online source for English definitions, pronunciations, word origins, idioms, Word of the Day, and more. 7 entries found for adult. a·dult ( P ) Pronunciation Key (-dlt, dlt) n. 1. One who has attained _maturity_or legal age. 2. Biology. A fully grown, \*mature \*organism. adj. 3. _Fully developed and mature._ 4. Relating to, intended for, or befitting adults: adult education. 5. Containing or dealing in explicitly sexual material; pornographic: adult movies; adult bookstores. Take it however you want, I believe being an adult is a sign of maturity since the word adult is always tied into some kind of ability to handle yourself that children lack. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-today-taking-longer-to-grow-up-why/287113.md?page=3)