'Peter+Pan'+Syndrome

“Peter Pan” Syndrome

‘Peter Pan’ syndrome is where people are unwilling to grow up. They are attached to their youth. They choose not to face the responsibilities of adults. Many adolescences face this problem. They can choose to make the final step to adulthood or shun it and act like a child. Peter Pan, Holden Claufield and Mrs George all suffer from the ‘Peter Pan‘ syndrome.

Holden Claufield finds it difficult to come to terms with taking the step to adulthood. He ovoids responsibility and associates himself with youth. As a result Holden is a classic example of ‘Peter pan’ syndrome. Holden dislikes adults and always refers to them as phoney’s. In chapter 2 of Catcher in the Rye Holden’s teacher Mr Spencer is trying to give Holden advice for the future. Holden chooses not to take heed of his words and makes an excuse to leave early. As Holden leaves he calls Mr Spence a “phoney” even though he had just been trying to help and guide Holden. This is an example of where Holden chooses not to accept responsibilities and chooses to remain attached to his youth. In chapter 22 Holden is talking to his younger sister Phoebe and he says to her “That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.” This shows that Holden does not want to face reality and un-willing grow up. Instead he prefers a fantasy that only children can experience.

Mrs George who is Regina’s mum tries to be young. She does this in many ways. Mrs George dresses like youth to appear young and also has surgery to make her physically appear young. She did this in the form of a boob job. Mrs George is always wearing very out going clothing which is commonly associated with youth. Furthermore Mrs George tries her best to be associated with youth. At 20:25 in Mean Girls Mrs George walks in with drinks for the girls. She says “So you guys what’s the 411, what’s the hot gossip, what’s everyone listening to what’s the cool jams”. This shows that Regina’s mum is trying to affiliate herself with the youth. Further evidence of this is 20:59 when she says “you girls keep me young uh I love you so much”. This reveals Mrs George suffers from the ‘Peter Pan’ syndrome.

Peter Pan is the original suffer of ‘Peter Pan’ syndrome and as a result every attribute Peter Pan has is an attribute of the syndrome. Peter Pan has chosen to live in Never Never Land his whole live. He lives there so he can never grow up. He avoids adults and has no interaction with them except for his enemy who is an adult; Captain Hook. The last chapter of the book finishes with “It is said that the Darlings adopted all the Lost Boys, and that Wendy goes back to Never Never Land every year to see Peter Pan”. This shows that even though all of Peters Pans friends have left him to grow up he still refuses to go with them. Instead he stays a child with no responsibilities and spends his whole life playing. "Peter Pan" Syndrome is stereotyped by the character Peter Pan from Walt Disney.