Peter Pan Syndrome

What is the "Peter Pan Syndrome"? PPS is a condition that occurs in grown up and aging males. In general, they are reluctant or refuse to grow up. In lieu of embracing responsibilities and age-appropriate choices, these man child's prefer to retain their bottled-up youthful tenancies and societal actions.

Basically, Peter Pan syndrome is the result of the inner child living within a grown man in perpetuity. For example, a man who refuses to move towards adulthood. In the eyes of the self-diagnosed PPS male, he views his youthful energy as fresh embraceable news! This man-child loves his freedom, youthful hobbies, and constant vigor. He is reluctant to tackle the super serious commitments of marriage, home ownership, kid creation, career and more. Envision the classic movie comedy, "Old School", with Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Now you've got it!

Have you ever met, had a family member, dated, or known a human with Peter Pan Syndrome? Honestly, carriers of PPS are known to be very HAPPY, joyful, fun, and lively. It's definitely NOT the worse syndrome in the world. We think it can be cured, but studies thus far are inconclusive.

For example, a male with PPS could exhibit the behaviors of a constant traveler, vagabond or gypsy. This version of the syndrome involves a scared sense of settling. This example type fears that a long term settling, sense of home, and root making, would cut off the soul from freedom. The gypsy traveling "Peter Pan" loves adventure, new locations, backpacking, short-term leases, couch surfing, night-time flings, and moments of solitude.

Another example of Male PPS Syndrome is the stagnation in hobbies and personality development.  This stalled development type is one who keeps a stranglehold on joyous activities from the past. For example, the party person who still gets drunk every weekend, or is continuously in search of a keg or "scene". This PPS type has not learned to chill out, nor has embraced new hobbies, such as say reading, yoga, camping or meditation. This carrier is still a frat boy at heart, and a fisher for women. Although a lively, and entertaining friend to have, this PPS type-1 displays very little emotional depth or reasoning.

So George Vance, how do you know so much about this Peter Pan Syndrome? It is because I have recently self-diagnosed myself with PPS. It is time for me to genuinely grow up. It may be time to settle down, find a girlfriend or wife and become monogamous. Or it's time to apply for a 30-year mortgage and buy a damn property of my own already. Commitment is the enemy of PPS syndrome. It is my personal hope and goal to eventually overcome this syndrome. It may take, turning 40 years old in age, for the harsh realization to slap me in the face. I don' think my PPS requires a friend or family intervention. I think it could be remedied with a combination of light progressive moves forward. For example, limiting nights out to 1 or 2 per week. A drastic reduction in binge drinking, a massive change in exercise, a change in diet, and or waking up and getting going earlier in the AM hours of the day. Perhaps healthier hobbies and smarter lifestyle decisions would be beneficial. It is time to drift from the exuberant roaring parties of college and the sex chasing 20's, into the more selective bouts of 30 something, finely chosen entertainment. Heck, my 30's are almost over.

People whom have persevered over PPS, are known to occasionally drink wine, go to bed early, and fully embrace their work life. Survivors of PPS, have emerged from the phase to be excellent bread winning homemakers, fathers, husbands and family providers.  The triumphant soul whom overcomes PPS may have been wild, but has now found a  higher, more focused purpose in life. Post PPS, this man is easy going within society, less volatile, and less watched by the cops. The PPS graduate has learned to NOT risk it. They have learned to accept and look forward to decades more of breathy existence. The conqueror of PPS will physically make it in age, to dare I say the 80's, 90's or  100 years of age. They have seen the light at the end of the earthly tunnel and realized how long that damn tunnel can possibly be.

What do you think? How do you feel about Peter Pan Syndrome? How can it be cured? Should it be left to run free?