Have you heard of the Peter Pan syndrome?
THE BOY WHO WOULDN’T GROW UP: A statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, London. PICTURE: David Adams
It’s the name they give our modern phenomenon of people, predominantly men, who don’t want to grow up.
Twenty, 30, 40 year olds still partying, playing and not taking any responsibility for anything.
Even the things that once turned boys into men – getting a job, joining an army, or fathering a child, are not waking some from their ‘Peter Pan’ slumber. And it’s having a negative effect on our society.
Lack of leadership, women treated appallingly, alcohol-fuelled violence. But there’s nothing sadder than a child who needs a dad, who longs for a father, finding instead an immature lad.
By-all-means remain child-like but not childish.
Peter Pan is a great story, but a terrible real life.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
