“Peter Pan Syndrome” is the fear of growing up, and it is something that can be seen in various characters throughout Vanderpump Rules. This syndrome is present when someone becomes an adult in terms of age but doesn’t take on the responsibilities that come with adulthood.
It often leads to a lifestyle of partying and avoiding serious commitments, as seen in the behavior of Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval. However, Tom Schwartz stands out as an example of someone who has shown the syndrome more than anyone else on the show.
From the very first season, viewers can tell that Schwartz is not interested in the responsibilities of adulthood. When he moved to Los Angeles, he became roommates with Tom Sandoval and Jax Taylor. The three of them spent their time partying and having fun in West Hollywood.
Schwartz was fully immersed in the party lifestyle, and he didn’t show much interest in growing up or taking on more mature responsibilities. As the show continued, it became clear that Schwartz was more comfortable in his 20s and wasn’t ready to leave that behind, even when he had opportunities to do so.
Tom Schwartz Always Took the Easy Way Out
Tom Schwartz never seemed to take any job seriously. His lifestyle was focused more on having fun than on making serious career decisions. When Lisa Vanderpump offered Schwartz and Sandoval the opportunity to become business partners for TomTom, it was clear that Sandoval took the opportunity seriously, while Schwartz did not.
Sandoval was focused on building the bar’s reputation and growing the business. He wanted everything to be perfect for events like the book signing party for Stassi Schroeder. He realized that they lacked the necessary resources, such as bartenders and alcohol, to host the event.
When he raised these concerns to Schwartz, Schwartz didn’t seem to care. He brushed it off, telling Sandoval to relax and not worry about it. This moment highlighted Schwartz’s immaturity and lack of professional experience, which stood in stark contrast to Sandoval’s serious attitude toward the business.
Schwartz’s avoidance of responsibility extended beyond his career. He also openly admitted that he dropped out of college, where he was studying pre-med, to chase his dreams of becoming an actor and model in Hollywood.
He said that he didn’t want to grow up or work too hard. Instead, he preferred to keep living the party lifestyle with his friends. Schwartz was handed several opportunities to start his career, but he wasted them. He was offered a chance to work at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant, PUMP, but left the job halfway through the night without telling anyone.
Even after this, Lisa gave him another chance to work on a sangria business with her daughter, Pandora Todd. However, Schwartz didn’t take the opportunity seriously.
He walked into meetings unprepared and decided that he wasn’t interested in the business, even though it was a great opportunity. Instead, he preferred to focus on his modeling and acting career, even though he barely booked any work.
Schwartz’s fear of growing up and commitment also affected his personal life, especially his relationship with Katie Maloney. He was afraid of committing to her and getting married. Katie eventually gave him an ultimatum, and it was only then that Schwartz agreed to propose.
His fear of adulthood and commitment caused problems in both his career and relationships. He didn’t want to take responsibility for anything, whether it was a job or his future with Katie. He wanted to continue partying with Jax and Sandoval, avoiding the realities of life as an adult.
Tom Schwartz’s story highlights the impact that Peter Pan Syndrome can have on someone’s life. His lack of interest in responsibility and maturity led to missed opportunities and hurt relationships. While Jax and Sandoval showed similar tendencies, Schwartz’s fear of growing up was particularly clear throughout the show.
Vanderpump Rules shows how this fear can influence someone’s choices, from their career to their personal life, and it ultimately keeps them from growing into the person they could be.
