We’ve all heard the term “manchild” thrown around, haven’t we?
That word always conjures up a certain image. Someone who, despite their age, just can’t seem to grow up.
They might seem fun at first, but over time, their immaturity can become wearing. Eventually, it can make any relationship—romantic, familial, or platonic—frustrating and exhausting.
But how do you know if you’re really dealing with a textbook manchild? The signs are usually pretty clear once you know what to look for.
In this article, that’s exactly what we’ll explore. Here are six behaviors of a manchild so you can spot the signs and decide how to handle them effectively.
1) Avoidance of responsibility
First up, a manchild often shies away from responsibility. Whether it’s paying bills, cleaning up after themselves, or even remembering to take the trash out, they somehow always manage to make it someone else’s problem.
They’ll offer up excuses that range from “I forgot” to “I didn’t know how,” leaving you to wonder how they’ve survived this long without basic adulting skills.
They might even venture into weaponized incompetence to sidestep their responsibilities.
Here’s the thing: their avoidance isn’t laziness—it’s practically an art form.
They’ll charm their way out of commitments, conveniently “misunderstand” instructions, or conveniently disappear when work needs to get done.
On top of that, they always seem to have a way of making you feel like you’re the unreasonable one for expecting them to follow through.
At first, you might think they’ll grow out of it, or that a stern talk will snap them into action.
Spoiler alert: it won’t.
The key is setting boundaries and holding them accountable, even if it means enduring some eye-roll-worthy excuses along the way.
Because if you don’t, you’ll find yourself stuck being the responsible one forever, while they continue their carefree, responsibility-free existence.
2) Self-centeredness
If there’s one thing a manchild excels at, it’s making everything about them. Whether it’s their bad day at work or the fact that their favorite pizza place ran out of pepperoni, their problems always seem to take center stage.
Meanwhile, your issues? They’re background noise, if they’re even acknowledged at all.
Somehow, they’ve mastered the ability to turn even the most unrelated conversation back to themselves.
Stubbed your toe? That’s nothing—they once had a hangnail that was “way worse.”
Living with this level of self-centeredness can feel like being stuck in a one-man show where you’re just the audience. They’ll happily soak up your support and attention but rarely offer it in return.
And when they do, it’s often short-lived or sprinkled with comments about how it affects them. It’s the kind of behavior that makes you wonder, “Do they even realize other people have feelings too?”
The best way to handle it? Start gently nudging them out of their own little orbit by pointing out (kindly but firmly) that there are other perspectives in the room.
Sure, it’s a slow process, but it’s better than letting them run the show 24/7. And hey, maybe one day they’ll surprise you by asking, “How was your day?” Fingers crossed.
3) Emotional immaturity
Dealing with a manchild’s emotional immaturity is like handling a toddler in an adult’s body.
You never know what might set them off—a misplaced sock, slow Wi-Fi, or a slight disagreement—and suddenly, you’re in the middle of a full-blown tantrum.
Only this time, it’s not a kid crying in the grocery store; it’s a grown adult sulking on the couch because they didn’t get their way.
What makes it even more exasperating is their inability to handle criticism or conflict like an adult.
Point out something they need to work on? You’ll probably get a mix of defensiveness, blame-shifting, or even some over-the-top theatrics about how they’re “always the bad guy.”
It’s like they skipped the chapter in life where you learn how to process emotions and skipped straight to the part where you expect others to manage them for you.
The tricky part is that their emotional immaturity can sometimes be masked by charm. They might crack a joke, change the subject, or brush off serious issues with a “Don’t worry about it.”
While it might seem harmless at first, over time, it becomes clear that they’re not just avoiding emotional growth—they’re digging in their heels.
Stay calm, call out the behavior when needed, and don’t get pulled into the drama. You’re not their therapist, and it’s okay to remind them that growing up emotionally is part of the deal when you’re an adult.
4) Lack of ambition
A manchild’s lack of ambition is one of their most defining features.
While everyone else seems to be setting goals, climbing career ladders, or at least trying to figure out what they want out of life, they’re perfectly content binge-watching TV and debating whether frozen pizza counts as dinner again.
Ambition? That’s for other people. They’re all about staying in their comfort zone—preferably one with Wi-Fi and zero effort required.
At first, it might even seem endearing. “They’re just laid-back,” you think, or “They’re finding themselves.”
But fast forward a few months (or years), and you realize “laid-back” is code for “unmotivated,” and “finding themselves” means they’ve made no real effort to do, well, anything.
Meanwhile, you’re left carrying the weight of adulting for two.
While there’s nothing wrong with a little chill, perpetual aimlessness isn’t exactly inspiring.
If you’re stuck dealing with it, your best bet is to encourage small steps toward growth—while also making it clear you’re not signing up to be their personal life coach.
Because at the end of the day, ambition might not be their thing, but it definitely doesn’t mean it has to drag you down too.
5) Reliance on others
Given their lack of ambition and tendency to avoid responsibility, it’s not surprising that a manchild often leans heavily on others for support, whether it’s financial, emotional, or even practical.
They might still live with their parents or rely on friends for basic tasks that they should be able to handle themselves.
While there’s no shame in needing help once in a while, a manchild takes it to a different level. They depend on others not out of necessity, but out of preference.
So if you find that someone in your life constantly relies on you or others for things they should be handling themselves, this could be another sign of a manchild.
6) Difficulty with commitment
Commitment can be scary. It means making a choice, taking a stand, and sticking with it. For a manchild, this is often a challenging concept.
They may flit from job to job, consistently break promises, or struggle to maintain long-term relationships.
Not because they’re bad people — it’s not necessarily malicious — but because committing to something means growing, evolving, and sometimes, that’s just too daunting for them.
It’s more about their fear of responsibility and their reluctance to grow into the version of themselves that commitment requires.
The funny thing is, they often don’t realize how much this behavior affects the people around them.
Broken promises and inconsistency can leave you feeling like you’re stuck in a one-sided arrangement, waiting for them to show up in ways they just can’t—or won’t.
The best way to deal with it is to make it clear that commitment isn’t a dirty word and doesn’t mean losing freedom; it just means showing up.
But be prepared—breaking through that fear might take more patience than you’re willing to give.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it—a deep dive into the world of the manchild. As you can see, one thing is clear: dealing with a manchild is no walk in the park.
The truth is, these behaviors aren’t just frustrating—they’re exhausting. They leave you carrying the emotional, mental, and sometimes even physical load of the relationship.
And while it’s tempting to hope they’ll magically grow up one day, the reality is that change takes effort—and it has to come from them.
Your job is to set boundaries, protect your energy, and decide what you’re willing to tolerate. You can encourage growth, sure, but you’re not their parent or personal life coach.
At the end of the day, you deserve to share your life with someone who’s ready to meet you halfway—not someone who’s still figuring out how to adult.
So if you’ve got a manchild in your life, remember: it’s okay to laugh at the absurdity, but it’s also okay to walk away when you’ve had enough.
