Are You Still a Kid at 20: Navigating the Threshold of Adulthood?

Are You Still a Kid at 20? The Truth About Growing Up

Are You Really a Kid at 20?

So, you’re 20. Not quite a teenager anymore, but not quite an adult either. It’s that awkward age where you feel like you should be making life decisions, but at the same time, you still have a few more years to figure things out. But hold up—are you still a kid at 20? Let’s dive into this, shall we?

The Legal Age of Adulthood: Does It Really Mean Anything?

Legally, 20 might not seem like the age of adulthood—after all, you can’t drink in the U.S. just yet (sorry). But hey, in other places like Europe, you’re already living life like an adult. But does the law really define who you are? Nah, I don’t think so. You might still be living at home, still asking your parents for advice (sometimes, I wish I could stop), but let’s be honest—at 20, you’ve probably already made some decisions that felt pretty grown-up. Maybe you’ve started paying your own bills or figured out what to do with your future. That’s adulting right there.

I remember talking to my buddy Jake last week. He’s 21 now and still grappling with what it means to be “grown.” He admitted to me, “I don’t feel like an adult, but at the same time, I’m doing things that I never imagined I’d do at 20.” Truth is, life doesn't come with a clear-cut checklist to adulthood.

Emotional Maturity: Are You There Yet?

This is the big one, right? Maturity. You’ve probably seen memes about how you’re technically an adult at 18, but your brain is still not fully developed until your mid-20s. So, are you still emotionally a kid at 20? Honestly, it depends on how you handle things like stress, relationships, and responsibility.

Navigating Emotions at 20

At 20, emotions can still hit hard. It’s like you’re on a rollercoaster. One moment you’re pumped for a big life change, the next you’re freaking out about the smallest thing. And that’s okay, really. It’s part of the process. But if you can handle your emotions well, it shows a level of maturity that’s definitely more adult than kid.

I, for example, have struggled with this exact thing. I’ll admit it. At 20, I would get into arguments over dumb things, only to realize later how unnecessary it was. But I’ve learned to take a step back, and now I’m a bit better at keeping calm. At least, I try.

Financial Independence: The Real Grown-Up Test

Let's be real for a second—money. It’s a big deal, and it’s one of the biggest things that separates kids from adults. At 20, you’re likely not fully financially independent. Most of us are still figuring out how to budget, pay bills, and maybe even get a steady job.

The Struggles of Financial Independence

You might be living on ramen noodles (I know I did), or scraping by with a part-time job that doesn’t quite cover all your expenses. You know, the typical college-life hustle. Does that mean you’re still a kid? Not necessarily. You’re learning, growing, and figuring it out. That’s the reality of being young.

A good friend of mine, Lily, just landed her first full-time job last month. She’s 20, and her first paycheck felt like a huge win. But it also brought a whole new set of responsibilities. “I thought I’d feel like an adult, but honestly, I just felt overwhelmed,” she said. It’s funny, because I totally get that feeling.

Social Life: Is It Still About Friends or Something More?

When you’re 20, your social life can still feel a lot like high school, even though you’re technically an adult. You still hang out with friends all the time, and maybe you’re not yet as focused on career or relationships as you might be at 30. But that doesn’t mean you’re still a kid. You're just in a transitional phase.

Friendships vs. Relationships at 20

At 20, you might be dealing with the challenge of balancing school, work, and friendships. Or, maybe, you’re just trying to figure out if you’re ready to settle down with someone. Relationships at 20 can feel like they’re all over the place—some of them might be deep, others might be casual. But the fact is, you’re figuring out what you want, and that’s all part of the process of growing up.

I had a conversation with my friend, Sam, a few weeks ago. He was stressing over whether he was ready to “settle down.” “I mean, I’m still figuring myself out. How can I even think about committing?” he said. It hit me that sometimes, at 20, it’s not about having everything figured out—it’s about learning who you are first.

Final Thoughts: So, Are You a Kid at 20?

Here’s the deal: Being 20 doesn’t mean you’re still a kid, but it doesn’t mean you’re fully an adult either. It’s that sweet spot in between where you’re navigating a lot of change and figuring out what adulthood even looks like. You’re probably not as emotionally mature as you will be at 30, but you’re definitely not the same person you were at 18. You’re growing, evolving, and making decisions that matter.

So, the next time someone tells you that you’re still a kid at 20, don’t sweat it. Sure, you might not have it all figured out yet—but you’re definitely not a kid anymore. And that’s something to be proud of, right?

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.