Why do adults act like children when it comes to arguments? They'll argue over the most trivial of things, like two toddlers who don't get what they want.

Stress. A huge build up of stress. Most adults build up all their anger, opinions and stress because they believe that they need to. They don't talk about their problems often and as stubborn as they are, they often feel that they don't need to give an explanation to anything. A lot of parents have the "do as I say" instead of "do as I do" attitude. They expect you to jump through hoops without question simply because you're their child. If not, they throw childish fits because they're afraid of losing control. I know some will disagree with this but as a young person myself, this is how I often feel when it comes to parents. A lot of adults don't seem to realise how they act though and often don't want to listen either.

Some adults just don't know how to argue, they think that because they're adults they're entitled to win the argument, regardless of how childish their argument is.

Age doesn't necessarily reflect someone's maturity level. Sometimes children or teenagers can be more understanding, smart and patient than their own parents.

All adults have a child inside of them that is ready to jump out of them. Whenever we get in an argurment it is only natural to revert back to this behavior. It is not natural to be in an argurment and be an adult.

I'm not really sure to tell the truth. But I have a theory or two. Maybe neither party wants to be wrong, or maybe they cannot see the merits of the other person's veiws.

I think the reason why adults act like children when arguing is because they put their emotions before their evaluation of the consequences.

Hahahah ..I am laughing as this question reminds me of someone ..close and also about myself ...well everyone knows how to defend themselves and when someone argues about something you dont agree upon and you dont like it you likeable become defensive and you want to win the argument by being offensive ...its ...like ..this for that or .....like say ..you were once a child in your life and ..adults do act like children when it comes to arguments....arguments are conflicts and it can be hard to overcome but end of the day its not the end of the road....maybe try to be assertive ..be more ..open and honest to each other listen to your side and their side and then decide together....and what you agree and disagree and how can you put up together to agree points..not what you disagree points it helps ...and compromise is a word where a both person agrees upon which is good!

Sometimes adults can argue about things that they are passionate about. This can result in them thinking back to how they though when they were a child. It can bring out a side of them that is more immature, since they are wanting to be correct and wanting to "win" the argument. I think that people sometimes argue like it is a sport because they feel like they have to prove something to others. They want that kind of approval and respect, and they think the way they will earn it is by arguing until they get their way.

Sometimes the argument isn't really about the little trivial things. Sometimes it's about something bigger and one or both of the adults don't have healthy ways of resolving conflicts and tensions so that they don't end up fighting like toddlers over the little things. The big things can be hard to talk about and require both people to sit down and focus and work to resolve it.

This is because majority of adults around the world are not mature at all. They may have aged but their mental thinking or intellect is still way behind their age. They take everything seriously not playfully and naturally as children do.