People won't treat me like an adult. How do I get them to?

Question

I'm 23 years old, I live alone (besides my two cats), I pay rent and bills, and I have a steady, stable job. (especially during this coronavirus scare, as it's an essential service) The problem is that many of my coworkers are anywhere from 40-70 years old and treat me as though I'm a child. They call me a kid despite my best efforts to prove my maturity. These efforts include taking responsibility for when I make a mistake (unlike them, who can do no wrong and it MUST be someone else's fault), going the extra mile to make sure that my job is done properly (unlike them, who half-*** it and claim that no one will know, so it doesn't matter), and remaining calm and collected at all times... Even in the event of an emergency.

Despite this, my coworkers seem to believe that I am no different from a stereotypical millennial. I argue that I do not know a single person who fits that stereotype, but they refuse to listen. From what I understand, they will only take me seriously as an adult if I bear a biological child, which I have decided I do not wish to do. I am mature enough to understand that I would not be able to properly raise a child and am thus settling with babysitting the neighbor's kids from time to time.

Is there any other way I can prove my maturity to them and be taken seriously by them that does NOT involve my uterus?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Converse with them in "baby talk" so they can see how ridiculous they sound when they do it.

Fireplace · Answer

No. You can't control what other people think, feel, say or do. Get used to it as this will never change and you will be dealing with this fact all your life. The fact you don't yet know this actually shows you have some more maturing to do.

? · Answer

i wouldnt let it get to know, theyre the ones not acting like adults cause of them not treating you like one

Anonymous · Answer

I was attending college classes during the day and worked at a nursing home at night. At school the other students were calling me Mom & Granny. And at work the residents were calling me Just A Baby and So Young.

None of it mattered. I knew I was neither decrepit nor immature and it didn't bother me any. I don't understand your compulsion to "prove" your maturity. If your job performance is good, that's all that matters.

Elaine · Answer

First of all an adult does not need to prove that he/she is mature to others. Secondly, why are you attaching so much importance to your colleagues' comments?

LiverGirl98 · Answer

Ultimately, you cannot control or change other people, so decide how much emotional and mental attention you want to give your co-workers.  Like you, they have set opinions and there is no right/wrong, simply different perspectives.  Rather than continue to want to change their minds or prove yourself in some way, be open to shifting your focus onto yourself and living your best life. You know who are you so be that person.

Anonymous · Answer

I wouldn't really try to blend in with people that old myself. 10 years older is my max.

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People won't treat me like an adult. How do I get them to?

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