“Yes baby, keep urself in shape from inside and outside, this is a real man, otherwise get out of my house right now.”

People are not any one level. If you think about an accepted scale of human development, such as Piaget's, the tiers are quite coarse and complex, and these overlap. Not admitting the overlap or the complexity of growth, and distilling men into such naive categories, really is dehumanizing. If you tried this with women, you'd have your balls in a sling.

First ladies – draw up an equivalent scale for yourselves, and then you will see how silly thin thing is when projected back onto yourselves, something all too many people are very bad at doing. Instead of from-you-onto-men.

When looking for someone grown up, first grow up yourself. Which means not putting people into pigeonholes and projecting your own immaturities onto them.

How do we (as single mothers of sons) ensure that our sons pass these relationship litmus tests?

It’s obvious that Larry has done a great deal of research and I wonder if, he can tell us *not only* what fathers have done right/wrong, but what single mothers have done right/wrong in raising the men on this scale.

Here it is. The Female Maturity Scale.

Baby Gal
She can’t see any way but her own every time. Almost everyone is an inconvenience to her and if you’d of been better, smarter or a more considerate person, she wouldn’t be so mad at you, but never the less, it’s all your fault.

Little Chick
She can get you to do what she wants but can’t control her bad feelings which let her know this problem is something you did, and now you’ve made things so difficult. She has some good days with you but other days bring to mind Dr Jeckle and Mr. Hyde.

Teen Queen
She knows what’s right and wrong when it comes to your behavior. It’s a struggle to hear a point of view other than her own, and impatience is immediate if you don’t perform as she expected you to. She can admit her mistakes if you admit yours first.

Cosmo Girl
She just wants to be loved but can’t really describe how to do that, but when you get it right, she makes you feel like a million. Mind games seem to come naturally though she doesn’t mean to. She says A, but does B on Monday, then on Tuesday, she’s logical and rational. So what’s your problem?

Finely Feminine
She has self confidence that’s not arrogant and she’s secure under most circumstances. If you’re attracted to her, she’ll keep you cordially at a distance with her morals. She wants to know all about you because she’s no dummy when it comes to relationships. Far more thinking than emotion, Finely Feminine will turn her man into a winner in life.

The Real Woman
She’s all about commitment and following through. She has self discipline and she’s totally responsible. She turns sour grapes into fine wine with ease. She’s funny and light, serious and smart and knows how to adapt to every situation. Like the women of the old west, if you want her, you’ll clean up your act and be a man. If you don’t, you won’t get her. She’s the prize to be won, the woman to be fought for. If you win her, you’ve won it all.

Thanks for replying.

Larry, these are really, really important questions… I also like to look at how men treat their mothers. Can’t wait to hear more.