Which is more important for parenting: maturity or age?

Question

Why do you feel that way?

Answer 1

maturity, I would rather see a mature 17yo with a baby that is loved and taken care of then see a 26 yo with a baby who is out causing trouble and raising hell, as opposed to respecting her baby. I was 24 when I had my daughter, and I felt ready, a friend of mine had one the same year, and completely puts off her responcibilities to her child to go out and 'live her life', she says a baby is going to tie her down, and she doesn't want that. Mature women get my vote all the way.

Answer 2

That one is easy: Maturity.

Age is just a number, but maturity is the difference between grown up and being stupid. I know many 20-somethings that are very mature, and they are very grown up with their lives and the way they do things, and I know people in their 40's that are rather immature, party all the time, live with mom and dad, and have that part-time job just for the fun money. So which would you want to have for a parent? Which one will be able to give yout he love, support, and be able to take care of you (if you were their kid)? Maturity by far, is the most important thing.

This is NOT to say that a "mature" 16-year-old should go out and get pregnant. I think that life experience is very important as well, and at 16, other than high school and a family vacation or two, what kind of life experience does one have to offer a child? I think that once a person is out of school (whatever level they choose) and has a job and a way to support another, then they can think about a child. They are not like those dolls you see on tv - you can't put a baby in the toy box when you are sick of playing with them. . .

Answer 3

age with maturity! You can be 28 years old and still not be mature enough to have a child. Just because one is under the age of 18 and mature, does not mean they should have children.

Answer 4

I would say maturity....but some maturity comes along WITH age...but like another person said, I would rather have had a 16 year old mature mother, than a 26 year old immature mother (which I had neither, just an example)

Answer 5

Maturity.

Answer 6

I think maturity. I was a young mother but had a lot of maturity in caring for my baby. Age really isn't a factor. Life circumstances can mature a person quickly!

Answer 7

Maturity! I know lots of 30+ year old women who are terrible parents. But be reasonable, I don't care how mature an 18 year old thinks she is, she is too young to be having babies... and that comes from someone who had babies at 19. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a wonderful mom, and there are lots of awesome young moms out there, but I'm mature enough to admit that I was too you ng to have kids. I've found my way, and matured because I had to.

Answer 8

Niether--------Wisdom is what you need. The most mature person may not be a good parent because they don't know what to do. Age is just that, your age, it has nothing to do with your maturity or experiences. I've learned with wisdom comes a sense of "maturity regardless of age", wisdom is what children seek in there questions about the moon and stars at bedtime, what to do about the boy in 3rd period, and should they kiss on the first or 10th date.............Maturity gives you an opinion, wisdom gives you insight. With wisom you know how to help them come to a clear and true answer with you, not from you.

Answer 9

Maturity for sure..... my sister had a baby in high school and she is a great mom who loves and takes care of her child so much better then we were ever taken care of by our parents who were much older. What does age have to do with being a good parent anyway?? 18 or 30 doesn't matter as much as love, commitment and enjoying ones responsibility.

Answer 10

If it's all about maturity, can't people be "mature" enough to wait to have a kid? Or at least be financially secure and not depend on the government and other's money to burden them further? I just don't get it. I know you can be mture, but what good is this when you just graduated high school at most and working a minimum wage job? If you go to college at 17 or 18, that should be your priority instead of raising children. It's alot harder to go to college (statistically and generally speaking) and to raise a baby at the same time. I know I'm probably going to get alot of hype or thumbs down for this but it's true! And you can't report me because this is my opinion and I am certainly entitled to it.