So here's the statement: "Almost every human being grows".

Sounds a bit strange huh? I mean, If ever we remember a thing from basic science in school, it is that living things are strongly characterized by growth, isn't that?

Of course, I know that the use of the word ‘almost’ in the statement sounds pretty funny and unreal if we look at it from a generalized perspective. Truly, everyone grows physically, even a mentally retarded person still grows in height and stature no matter how slow it is.

I wasn't talking about the growth in cells and the increase in the size of a living tissue, I was talking about a different kind of growth. Though everyone grows physically, not everyone matures emotionally and psychologically.

Over the years, both genders -male and female,- have been known to possess character traits when growing up, especially during the teenage years or adolescence. Teenagers are the same everywhere and according to research, about 70% of teenagers act alike and I think from this fact stems the generalized saying that "boys will always be boys" and vice versa.

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Normally, the ideal thing is that as we grow, we drop most forms of childishness and an all-around sense of growth begins to happen. However, it really isn't the same for everyone. In a way, -and in rare cases too- some lads decide to remain boys, and some lasses decide to remain girls. So how about we quickly go over the characteristics of a boy and a girl, so you get an understanding of what I mean?

He's a boy, She's a girl!

• They like group settings and group games, they dislike playing alone.

• They spend a lot of time talking with peers and they are easily influenced.

• They develop lasting friendships and they struggle to handle peer pressure.

• They are sensitive to what others think of them and to adult approval.

• They consider clubs and social groups to be very important.

• They tend to be very competitive, they want to be first and best in everything.

• They experience moments of anger or frustration, some can be violent.

• They may be quite sensitive and overly dramatic.

• They tend to get discouraged easily, thereby changing emotions as they go.

• Boys and girls often have clashing interests with that of their parents. They have their own point of view.

These are just some of the characteristics of the male and female gender, especially in their teen years. I think if you're way past that age now, you will agree with me that during those times, approval from friends and others generally was the 'in thing'. It was such a big deal, added to the fact that majority of the boys and girls had feelings and emotions which they couldn’t control. Some of us got into relationships we couldn’t handle and learnt by trial and error.

However, there are a handful of adults today, who are physically adults but emotional and psychologically they are younger. It is good to be young at heart and full of life, but it becomes an issue if your actions and attitude isn’t improving or at par with your age and if you constantly confuse people around you who believe you should do better considering your age and level of experience. It becomes an issue if in relationships, be it friendship or love relationships your actions are immature and your actions affect other people negatively.

It is true that everyone is still learning to become better, no one has arrived. But we cannot continue to meander on the same spot, we cannot continue to act as boys when we have become men. Becoming an adult requires increase all round, it requires growing up

He's a Man, She's a Lady.

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• They practice more commitment.

• They are independent.

• They practice more selflessness.

• They assume responsibilities, especially in relationships.

• They exhibit growth, physically, spiritually, financially and psychologically.

• They are ready to become parents.

• They practice a lot of self control.

I think i should stop there, you can always add yours to the list. Now is the time to ask a very important question. Are you still a boy or a man? do you still act like a girl or are you a lady?

Are you growing up, or not?

Blog contributor: @ponmile
Blog editor: @pangoli

^{This article is a contribution to the @onequality community-based magazine, as a support for planktons and minnows alike. If you would like to know more or be a part of the contributors, please refer to this post. Thank you.}