The Duplex Pyramids
STAGES OF GROWTH IN MATURITY
Suggestions for How to Facilitate Growth in Maturity
by Edwin L. Young, PhD
In the Natural Systems approach, maturity is represented as having six levels that children progress through until they reach young adulthood. Each of these levels also consist of a variety of skills that can be learned and incorporated into their behavior. There is seldom and even progression in which all skills of a level are mastered before going on to the next level. Children and youth typically progress unevenly. However, the levels described here set out an optimal standard. It would be optimal if the skills at each level were all mastered eventually. I have characterized each level with a title or label that is supposed to represent the general way in which children and youth tend to perceive and understand the world and to behave in the world. The way children and youth perceive and act seems to move, very roughly, in pace with age progression. A number of factors will influence how completely, well, and thoroughly they master these skills. One important factor is their intelligence. Another is the presence of mature adult models. Still another is the broader social environment such as their neighborhood, school, religious affiliation, income sufficient to survive without undue hardship and hunger, and whether or not there are adults in their lives whom they trust and who provide them with skillful coaching for maturation.
The first section below describes a progression through levels one through six where they are supposed reach the level of maturity of a typical young adult. These six were developed while creating a program called "Stars and Stripes" for juvenile felons in a juvenile correctional institution. I feel quite sure that they apply as well to non-delinquent youth. Similar descriptions of the stages of maturity are to be found in the works of many authors. At this time, I am not completely satisfied with the categories and their definitions and hope to think this question through more thoroughly some time in the future. For now, I consider them a viable heuristic. I also feel that the program outlined here is applicable to or can be adapted to public high schools and even elementary and middle schools. This first section can also be found in the sub web site found at bottom 2. Parenting Skill Training in Section IX.
The second and third sections below describes optimal levels of maturity for adults in five different areas of functioning. These five are Personal Maturity, Interpersonal Maturity, Intellectual Maturity, Societal Maturity, and Maturity in Intimate Relationships. The descriptions of the first four areas of mature functioning are subject to ongoing revision.
Growth in Child to Adolescent Maturity, Levels 1 through 6
Level 7 Five Categories of the Highest Level of Adult Maturity:
A Highest Level of Adult Personal Maturity
B Highest Level of Adult Intellectual Maturity
C Highest Level of Adult Societal Maturity
D Highest Level of Adult Interpersonal Maturity
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