I think one thing that's forgotten in most stories dealing with Ron, is that he is more than a teenage boy. He is a brother from a close-knit family, who has been through, while not as many situations as Harry, quite a few in his own right. And experiences shape you, changing who you are. Saying he would go to adulthood and not grow up, mature, or earn his place in the lives of people he loves is just nonsensical.