Is He Immature? 10 Signs He’s A Man-Child You Can’t Depend On

He’s flighty, unpredictable, and avoids emotion at all costs — he’s basically a little boy trapped in a grown man’s body. He’s fun to be around and all, but the relationship isn’t progressing, and that’s because he’s suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome. If you think you might be dating a man-child, keep an eye out for these signs that he’s simply not on your level.

1. He can be an immature jerk. A man-child doesn’t think before he acts. Why would he? Long-term consequences don’t even cross his mind since he insists on “living in the moment.” If he thinks your friend is acting like a raging bitch, he’ll tell her to her face in front of everyone. He might even have the balls to call you out sometimes. This guy is unpredictable and doesn’t seem to know what a filter is. You’re constantly worried he might say something inappropriate because he often does. Forget introducing him to your parents — you can barely take him out in public.
2. He doesn’t have a kitchen table. His place has everything… except a kitchen table. He’s got piles of video games, a flat-screen TV, even a Keurig — basically everything a bachelor needs, but that’s about it. This guy isn’t ready for a committed relationship — he can’t even commit to buying a kitchen table! This might not seem like a big deal, but when you examine why that is (he eats standing up and can’t sit still long enough to actually have a meal at a table like a normal human being), it all becomes clear.
3. Every date is casual. He doesn’t really know how to be a boyfriend. To him, being in a relationship is equivalent to having a friend with benefits. You guys hang out at his place, watch movies, and occasionally hook up. He doesn’t plan romantic dates, take you out to dinner, or surprise you with flowers. It’s not that he isn’t a romantic, he’s just a child. He has no interest in doing something he doesn’t want to do. He prefers staying in and keeping it casual, so that’s what you do. No thanks.
4. He’s moody and emotionally inconsistent. His emotions go back and forth! One day he’s lovey-dovey and the next he’s a complete jerk — there’s no in-between. He’s either the nicest guy in the world or the biggest jerk. You don’t need that kind of inconsistency in your life! You want someone who’s stable and unfortunately, that’s not him. He doesn’t have a clue — he’s been too busy dodging adulthood to figure out who he really is.
5. He flirts with anything that moves. He wants to keep you guessing. He’s emotionally stunted, and relationships make him more than a little uncomfortable because he isn’t ready to settle down and doesn’t know how to say it. Instead of telling you straight up, he shows you by constantly flirting with other girls. He might not be “cheating” on you, but he’s definitely more than friendly to every girl he comes in contact with.
6. He doesn’t know how to have a serious conversation. He avoids any topic that’s even remotely serious. If it deals with the future, he doesn’t want to talk about it! Kids, careers, living situations — hell, your relationship doesn’t even interest him! Every time you bring up something “emotional,” he freaks out. He either gets super quiet or pissed off. Oh, and fighting with a man-child is brutal. He’s a stubborn little jerk who channels his inner 3-year-old when he doesn’t get his way. Your time and energy should be placed on someone willing to compromise, and that’s not him.
7. He’s too much of a dreamer and not enough of a doer. There’s nothing wrong with having dreams, but pipe dreams are another story. He calls himself an entrepreneur, but he’s really just an intern. Everyone has to start somewhere, but unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way — he’s not interested in playing by the rules and climbing up the ladder. While you’re out there busting your balls, he’s sleeping in until 3 p.m., wondering why you work so hard. Laziness can be contagious — you need to leave him before he drags you down.
8. You always have to nag him to get crap done. Does it seem like you’re constantly telling him what to do? You’re basically a mother to a teenage boy. You’re the one responsible for reminding him to wake up early, go to the grocery store, get his tires rotated, blah blah blah. I mean, damn, you made it through your teen years without getting pregnant, and this is how you’re rewarded? Spending these trivial years taking care of a guy who can’t get his act together? Hell no! He’s grown, and should therefore be able to take care of himself. You’re his girlfriend, not his crutch — he can set his own damn alarm clock!
9. He’s a kid at heart. Everything about him just screams MIDDLE SCHOOL. When he goes out with his friends, it’s like they’re transported to the early ’90s. They go gallivanting around the city pulling pranks, drinking too much and peeing in public places. There’s nothing wrong with having fun, but he takes it to another level. You’re dating someone who needs constant supervision, which means you have to be the mature one in the relationship — that’s not fair!
10. He needs a mother, not a girlfriend. His mom still does his laundry — enough said! He’s capable of cleaning his own clothes, he just prefers the way his mom does it (she probably still buys his underwear too). You can tell your boyfriend is a man-child by his low-key sexist ideologies. He thinks only women can cook and clean, and he expects that from you. He’s turning you into a replica of his own mother, and that’s not something you want in a partner. Take a step back and get some perspective, before you end up his permanent caregiver.