Is 20 years old still a kid? No—it‘s young adulthood.
As a gamer and content creator focused on the latest releases and culture trends in the gaming world, I‘m often analyzing the demographics and maturity level of the average gamer. Today we dive deep on if 20 years old still falls under the umbrella of childhood and "kid" status—or if you‘ve levelled up to mature adulthood by then.
Physically developed, but mental maturity still in progress
Biologically, puberty and physical maturation is largely complete by 20 years old. Growth plates fuse by the late teens, females reach near peak height around 16 years old and males around 18 years old (Maricopa, 2023). This adult stature, combined with puberty changes, means the average 20 year old has an adult body.
However, mental and emotional development continues into the mid-20s. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for judgement, problem solving, and decision making, keeps developing past the teen years. Neuroscientists have found that the brain‘s executive functions don‘t fully mature until around 25 years old (Won, 2022).
What does this mean for maturity as a 20-year-old? Well, you may make poor decisions that your 25 or 30-year-old self will regret! Impulsiveness, risk-taking behaviors, and emotional reactivity peak during these young adult years (Casey et al., 2008). As a gamer, you‘re still developing the patience, strategy, and mental endurance that veteran gamers rely on.
So by 20, most people are physically adult but still gaining higher-order mental skills and emotional intelligence associated with maturity. Let‘s see how this translates to social development and responsibilities.
Taking on adult roles and expectations
Legally, 18 is considered the age of adulthood in most countries. By 20 years old, a person has been a legal adult for 2 whole years. What happens during this young adult period?
Data shows that many 20-year-olds are living independently from parents, financially supporting themselves, pursuing higher education and career advancement, serving in the military, entering political participation, establishing long-term romantic relationships, and even getting married and having children (Arnett et al., 2014).
| Percent of U.S. 20-Year-Olds Who Have… | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Moved out of parents house | 50% |
| Full or part-time employment | 72% |
| Begun post-secondary education | 35% |
| Married | 8% |
| Become a parent | 7% |
Data source: U.S. Census Current Population Survey, 2021
These adult roles and responsibilities provide opportunities for further mental development described earlier. Making independent decisions and facing real-life consequences speeds up maturity—for better or worse!
As a fellow 20-year-old gamer, I‘ve had to balance my desire for the latest game releases and esports tournaments with working, studying, and saving for my future. That‘s definitely an aspect of growing up that I don‘t think my 15-year-old self could grasp!
The evolution of gaming across generations
The average gamer is getting older—that‘s a fact backed up by research on the industry. A 2022 survey found the average age of a video game players is 35! (GWI, 2022).
Gaming requires mental skills that develop through young adulthood like problem-solving, risk assessment, impulse control, flexibile thinking, and more. So it makes sense that gameplay strategies and ability would mature in parallel with the brain‘s development.
Additionally, the first truly mainstream home video game consoles like Atari and Nintendo came out 40 years ago in the 1980s. So generations that grew up with gaming from young ages are simply aging up along with the industry.
As a gaming content creator, it‘s essential I consider my maturing audience. Teens have lightning quick reflexes but crave simple escapism and trendy titles. Twenty-somethings share their nostalgia for retro games while also having some money to spend on new releases. Middle-aged gamers need complexity, customization, and problem-solving suited to their cognitive abilities.
Understanding my own ongoing maturation as a 20-year-old gamer helps me relate to this evolution across generations. I still feel very young, but I know I‘ve already changed tremendously from my middle school gaming days!
Conclusion: Young adult, not child
At the start we asked—is 20 years old still considered a kid? After this deep dive analysis, I can conclusively say no, 20 years old has exited childhood by most legal and biological definitions.
By 20, an individual takes on independent living, financial obligations, career development, political participation, military involvement, relationships, and child-rearing. These adult roles and expectations mean 20 year olds have significantly more maturity and responsibility compared to younger teens and children.
However, some mental and emotional development is still in progress during this young adult life stage. Impulsiveness and risk-taking behavior peaks from the late teens into the mid-20s. And complex decision-making skills continue growing into the 25 year old range along with structural brain changes.
So while 20 years olds are not kids, they aren‘t fully mature adults either. It‘s a transitional period with many opportunities for growth and learning alongside new adult responsibilities and independence. And for gamers, balancing the fun with real-world obligations is all part of leveling up to the next stage of life.
The gaming community and industry will continue evolving in parallel with our cognitive maturation over decades. Understanding that biological arc can help creators like myself make smart decisions about our content for audiences, young and old—but especially those 20-somethings still finding their way in the adult world!
