Maybe there's something to this "H is a kid" theory. I mean, I like cartoons, but if I watch them, I tend to watch the more "adult" type cartoons, not kiddie cartoons. And when my kids were tiny, sure, they watched Saturday morning cartoons, but I'd also have them watch Sesame Street and other programs that were educational, and those were more interesting to me as well, rather than have my brain dribble from typical kiddie cartoon mush overload.
I recalled the term, "Peter Pan Syndrome", looked up some on the net about that and found this:
Peter Pan syndrome: Term coined by pop psychology author Dan Kiley in his book "Peter Pan syndrome: Men Who Have Never Grown Up."
The Peter-Pan psychological type is one characterized by immaturity or certain sorts of psychological, social and sexual problems. The type of male personality in question is immature and narcissistic. More completely, according to Kiley, the characteristics of a "Peter-Pan" include such attributes as irresponsiblity, rebelliousness, anger, narcissism, dependency, manipulativeness, and the belief that he is beyond society's laws and norms. According to Kiley, "Peter Pan" is the adult little boy who, when in a relationship or in seeking a relationship, acts out a need for mothering.
PPS may not, in itself, be recognized by the mental health community; however there is a psychological syndrome that embodies many of the symptoms we use here to describe PPS.
It is Dependant Personality Disorder. Persons with this disorder are described here:
"People with dependent personality disorder may exhibit a pattern of dependent and submissive behavior, relying on others to make decisions for them. They require excessive reassurance and advice, and are easily hurt by criticism or disapproval. They feel uncomfortable and helpless if they are alone, and can be devastated when a close relationship ends. They have a strong fear of rejection. Typically lacking in self-confidence, the dependent personality rarely initiates projects or does things independently. This disorder usually begins by early adulthood and is diagnosed more frequently in females than males."
Desires of the Dependant Personality include the following:
1) A yearning for a strong figure who will provide the resources for their survival and happiness (sounds like the left"s definition of government to me)
2) The need for support (ever hear of the term "entitlements"?)
3) Desiring help from other people (and if necessary, of course, that help will be forced by the penal power of government through the redistribution of wealth.)
4) Subservience and subordination (through the ceding of one"s rights for the feeling of safety)
Their desires are, of course, fear based and these fears include:
1) Feelings of helplessness (in themselves and thus projected onto others)
2) Fear of independence and having to do things for oneself (why be independent when the nanny state can take care of all one"s needs?)
3) Fear of rejection or criticism (remember the Narcissist? And what happens when he feels criticized or rejected? Uh oh.)
In the end, those with PPS/Dependent Personality Disorder wish to avoid, by any means, the world most of us know simply as adulthood. They refuse to acknowledge the need for independence and personal responsibility. They refuse to face the fact that life can be sometimes hard and mean. And, as perpetual adolescents, refuse to uphold their own duty to society.
