Does it make sense to say teens who don't do the following are more mature?

By the way, inspite of the “Does it make sense… part of my OP, it doesn’t mean I think it doesn’t make sense.

Not necessarily. Maturity isn’t only measured by those three actions (or even all risky actions).

Maturity could also be measured by

- living independently and holding a job
– taking care of siblings, parents, or grandparents
– having a leadership role in a club or church or organization
– being studious and goal driven

and so on.

I think it’s wrong to define a teenager only by bad things they can do. You need to define them by the good as well.

I know you’re trying to make some point about the callowness of youth, but your logic doesn’t add up.

No. It’s a waste of time trying to single out individual vices from the sea of opportunities tempting teenagers. Besides who can say how many adults reach adulthood free from addictions to alcohol or cigarettes merely through the indolence accompanying no interest in ANYTHING?

No
It’s possible to do some of the things on the list like drinking and still be responsible and mature while doing it, like not getting completely drunk or deciding not to drive after drinking.
Same thing goes for sex.
As long as you know the risks of what you are doing and try to do everything to prevent it, I’d say it’s mature.

@ all,
How would you have phrased the OP to not make it a leading question?

… The reason I ask that is because your answers sound like it was a leading question, right?

@elbanditoroso , @stanleybmanly and @SergeantQueen

Sorry, those 2 posts weren’t meant to be here, clearly.