Peter Pan: Encouraging Children To Embrace The Inevitable

On the walk to my car after class today I pondered a question that centered as the focus of our class discussion but was never blatantly asked: What would life be like if children never had to grow up? Yes, I know that Peter Pan may not be the most idealized version of a child permanently stuck in the innocent joys and innocence of children but he did challenge me to wonder what my life would be like if I never grew up. What would you be like if you never matured out of the age range of 5-8? Don't you hear people all the time wish they were pack in Kindergarden taking naps, enjoying recess and living the life free of "adult" worries? I believe J.M. Barrie is challenging his readers (adults and children alike) to fantasize and question what their lives would be like if, like Peter Pan, they did not have to grow up.

I have plenty of days where the idea of being a child again seems more than appealing. As children grow up and battle through difficult situations and sad experiences, they enter into a world much less sympathetic and much more problematic. Each day of a child's life brings challenges that shape their beliefs and ultimately the adult person they will evolve into. As children, individuals are able to live life without the obvious adult dilemmas (job, money, taxes, significant others, etc.), as well as a life encouraged to dream, image, question and ponder. For me, the idea of permanently living at age 6 initially seems awesome, but once I really think about it, it would be the cruelest punishment. However, I have to take into consideration the fact that I do know what life beyond age 5 or 6 is like so, obviously, the thought of never growing up scares me. But after hearing Shawn (sp?) and Mary's "children's" perspectives today in class, young children reading Peter Pan would think living his lifestyle permanently as a child is much more appealing than I would.

Barrie's portrayal of Peter Pan living his entire life as a child seems like a dream to some readers, while to others it seems like a nightmare. Two completely different perspectives on the subject forces readers to evaluate why they hold the perspective that they do on this issue. Would young children not want to grow up because they are so happy being a child or because they fear what being an adult will be like from watching the adults around them? If Peter Pan's inability to remember his friends, loved ones and important experiences are not enough to convince young readers to look forward to the life journey ahead of them, take Woody Harrelson's advice - "A grownup is just a child with layers on."