Maturity musings

Our pre-frontal cortex (the part of our brain that manages our executive functions like problem-solving; impulse control; planning and decision-making) doesn’t fully mature until we’re around 25. In fact, experts state that it takes until the age of 30 or so for males.

Our limbic system (the brain’s emotional centre) develops and matures earlier. This means that we are less well-equipped to make good life choices and exert self-control when we are younger. It also means for us parents that our children need our support emotionally far longer than they may need it financially.

As a life coach and a parent, this is all fascinating enough. However, as a Christian, I find it even more fascinating that God tells the Levites in the Old Testament that they are to take on their role as priests at the age of 30. Elsewhere in Numbers, 25 is mentioned. It’s believed that this is more the start of an apprenticeship to the role. It seems, unsurprisingly, that God knew about our brain development well before neuroscientists cottoned on!