Peter Pan Syndrome Analysis Essay

Children want to be independent, but as they grow older, they realize how difficult it is to be an adult. Dealing with the stresses of adulthood, such as meeting deadlines and paying bills, can be challenging. Although it may be tempting to avoid all these responsibilities and return to childhood, children must confront the reality of adult responsibilities. ‘Peter Pan Syndrome’ is a psychological condition in which a person refuses to grow from childhood to adulthood. The character of Peter Pan in J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan suffers from this syndrome for selfish reasons and immaturity. Instead of looking beyond his own needs, Peter Pan only does what’s best for him. This syndrome is frequently caused by factors that occur during childhood, and all prevention efforts should focus on parents and their understanding of how to raise a child in being more responsible.  Growing up and facing adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it is not always easy if a child has not been taught at an early age.

People with ‘Peter Pan syndrome’ do not want to grow up; they act irresponsible and child-like.   The syndrome is not considered a psychopathology, however, an increasing number of adults in Western society exhibit emotionally immature behaviors. (University of Grenada, “Overprotecting parents can lead children to develop ‘Peter Pan Syndrome’).   Individuals who are self-centered may refuse to mature. Peter Pan refuses to grow up because he wants to stay in Neverland and have endless fun and avoids dealing with adult issues because he is afraid of reality.  Peter says: “I don’t ever want to be a man. I always want to be a little boy and to have fun” (Barrie 23) this shows how Peter Pan wants to stay a child forever escaping from adult responsibilities.  The ‘Peter Pan syndrome’ entraps adults in their childhood, making it difficult for them to deal with adult situations because they are constantly always avoiding commitment and responsibility.  Individuals who refuse to commit to anything in life, like Peter Pan, eventually wake up and realize they have been living in a fantasy world.  As a result, it is critical for parents to begin teaching their children how to be responsible and autonomous at an early age.

The ‘Peter Pan syndrome’ can have harmful effects on people's social development and their ability to deal with responsibilities.  Neverland in Peter Pan has no laws, and the children who live there have no responsibilities because they spend most of their time playing and having fun.  Neverland is full of adventure and fun; it is a place where most people suffering from Peter Pan syndrome live.  It is, however, a trap because children cannot grow up in Neverland. Parents need to set limits and boundaries for their children so that later in life they do not encounter difficulties taking on responsibilities as adults. Wendy realizes during her journey through Neverland that she must mature and leave Neverland, even without Peter Pan. She never wanted to be a child forever and had experienced motherhood through helping her own mother raising her siblings and further when playing make-believe with Peter. Wendy exhibits bravery and recognizes that maturing is a part of life, as are the responsibilities that come with it. Wendy tells her daughter when she is all grown up and a mother herself. “Because I am grown up dearest, when people grow up, they forget the way.” (Barrie 149) explaining to her young child that everyone must grow up at some point, that adults have responsibilities, and that children cannot remain children forever.

She continues by explaining to her daughter that only children can fly to Neverland and that once you become an adult, Neverland no longer exists, and you can never return.

Overprotective parents can give their children "Peter Pan Syndrome.". Children who are overprotected by their parents do not develop the necessary skills to face life. They regard the adult world as extremely problematic, which is why they refuse to mature. They are afraid of being alone, so they seek out people who can meet their needs (University of Grenada, “Overprotecting parents can lead children to develop ‘Peter Pan Syndrome’).   Peter Pan, for example, takes Wendy to Neverland not because he wants to have fun, but because he needs her. He doesn't have a mother to guide him, which is why he needs someone like Wendy to guide him while also keeping him company.  Wendy travels to Neverland to be a mother to Peter and the Lost Boys as he persuades her by saying: "but we're a little lonely. You see we don't have any female companionship " (Barrie 25).  This quote demonstrates the need for a female figure to mother and care for the male characters in Peter Pan.   Peter Pan is obsessed with motherhood because, despite being a boy, he does not want to be dependent on anyone and would rather be self-sufficient. He despises mothers and adults because he believes mothers encourage children to grow up.   There must be a Wendy to deal with the things Peter Pan does not do. This is also known as the ‘Wendy Syndrome’, and it describes women who behave like mothers around their partners (University of Grenada, “Overprotecting parents can lead children to develop ‘Peter Pan Syndrome’”).  Wendy makes every decision and takes on Peter's responsibilities. Wendy becomes a maternal figure for all the boys in Neverland, representing someone who will coddle and watch over them all while perpetuating the notion of motherhood.  It is possible to see a mother's love throughout the Peter Pan novel, it captures a child, gradually changes them as they grow older and whisks them away into adulthood.  When Wendy's mother asks if she could be Peter's mother, Peter yells, "Keep back lady, no one is going to catch me and make me a man" (Barrie 145).   To Peter, mothers represent the loss of childhood, freedom, and the acceptance of adult responsibilities.

To summarize, a person's childhood is crucial in their lives because their personality develops during childhood, and if children are not taught to be responsible, they can grow up to be problematic adults. ‘Peter Pan syndrome’ can be caused by both permissive parenting and overprotective parenting. Since the syndrome is frequently caused by factors that occur during childhood, all prevention efforts should focus on parents and their understanding of how to raise a child. Parents must instill appropriate values in their children, and children must be taught to take on responsibilities at a young age and understand that growing up is a natural part of life.