The author shows this struggle in many ways. The thing I think of most is the scene in the bar. Holden acts obviously mature enough to order a drink but he can't because of the number of years he has been alive. In my opinion he should be legal to drink way before so many others who are over 21 years old. Also he saw the older women at the bar. They were old enough to where anybody would consider them adults. But If you think about it who was more mature, Holden or the women? I think this was a symbol by the author saying that the measure of your age is not the same as the measure of your maturity. I feel if Holden were given the opportunities of an adult he would become an adult, or at least much more of one than most people. The biggest struggle I face in becoming an adult is seeing the date of birth on my intermediate driver's license.