The Evolution of Emotional Mastery
Control over emotions develops with age, and this journey is full of amazing discoveries. In early childhood, our reactions are often simple and unpredictable, and obedience to parental authority often occurs out of fear or an inability to manage our feelings. With the onset of adolescence, a slow but determined path toward managing emotions begins, as impulsive reactions gradually give way to awareness and restraint. Modern research shows that during this period, the development of self-regulation skills takes several years, and achieving emotional maturity often does not happen immediately. Even adults facing stressful situations may find that controlling their emotions remains a challenging task, highlighting that emotional intelligence requires continuous development and practice. In the end, each stage of life offers new opportunities for growth and reassessment of our reactions, transforming emotional control from an innate trait into a refined skill that helps us become more successful and self-assured individuals.
How Does Age Affect a Person’s Ability to Restrain Unnecessary Words and Control Emotions During an Argument?Age plays a key role in developing the ability to control emotions and restrain unnecessary words during an argument. In early childhood, emotions are expressed in much simpler ways, and sometimes a child adheres to parental control due to fear or the lack of ability to rationally regulate their feelings. As one matures and enters adolescence, self-regulation skills gradually develop, though this process can span several years.For example, one source notes, "Normal passive-aggressive behavior in adolescents usually begins around the age of 11. Remember that an adolescent should completely overcome it by 16–17 years old, indicating that overcoming this behavior is a prolonged process, lasting at least 5–6 years" (source: link txt). This suggests that the ability to control emotions and express them appropriately comes gradually with age, as individuals learn to transition from simple, often impulsive reactions to more conscious and measured responses.It is also noted that even adults do not always manage to keep their emotions in check during stressful situations: "even many adults are unable to manage their emotions in stressful situations" (source: link txt). This underscores the fact that, despite the general trend of improved emotional control with age, stress factors and individual character traits can impact behavior even in mature individuals.Thus, with age comes a maturity that allows a person to be more discerning in their choice of words and to restrain the impulse of emotional outbursts. However, this is not guaranteed automatically—the process of acquiring emotional intelligence requires time, experience, and deliberate work on oneself.