Ep. 173-The Man-Child Syndrome: The Psychology of Men Who Refuse to Grow Up

In this episode, Dr. Kibby breaks down the psychology behind the "Man-Child Syndrome," when men stay emotionally immature and avoid real responsibility.

Do you know a grown man who clearly wants to stay a boy forever? Maybe he's fun, charismatic, adventurous and creative but...he runs away from adulthood. He's afraid of commitment, avoids responsibilities, and expects everyone else to take care of him. If so, you're familiar with the Man-Child Syndrome.

Dr. Kibby analyzes the "Man-Child" (also called the "Peter Pan Syndrome") and discusses the tell-tale signs of a man-child, what's underneath the boyish behavior, and how psychological theories explain why he refuses to grow up. At the core of this type of toxic immaturity is the avoidance of the hardships of adult life: the tedious work of building a career, the mundane problems of a serious relationship, and the pain of going out of our comfort zones. The Man-Child runs away from any limitations to his freedom and fun, but that usually means he's taking advantage of someone in the process.

This episode also discusses how the Man-Child syndrome is a growing form of narcissism: Men lost in fantasies, too special to suffer like ordinary people, and avoidant of accountability. All of these tendencies point to traits of narcissistic personality disorder, even if it's hard to spot at first.

If you're struggling with a man-child and need support, check out for real skills and community for dealing with this toxic relationship.