You will find some telling differences when examining the relationship to growing up for the boys and girls in Peter Pan. For the boys in the story, Neverland is a place to remain forever as children. For the girls, it seems to have the opposite effect, encouraging them to mature even faster.
In many ways, Peter represents the joys and freedom of boyhood. To him, growing up is the worst thing imaginable. He and the Lost Boys spend their time carousing, causing mischief, flying through the air, and getting into battles with pirates—just having a carefree and adventurous time. Duty and responsibility, as the main trappings of adulthood, are to be despised and avoided by the boys in Neverland. Consequently, Peter wishes to remain in a static state on the childhood side of the barrier between childhood and adulthood.
Yet, the picture changes when we look at the one...
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girl in the story, Wendy. Unlike Peter, Wendy does not fear maturity. She sees growing older as just another part of life. Even though she is still a child herself, Wendy readily accepts the responsibilities of a grown-up, taking on the role of "mother" to the Lost Boys as soon as she arrives in Neverland. By the story's end, Wendy has returned to London in order to grow up and take on the domestic responsibilities normally associated with women at the time.
Viewed this way, the story seems to be saying that crossing the barrier between youth and maturity in Peter Pan is one to be eschewed by boys and embraced by girls.
Are childhood and adulthood boundaries different for male and female characters in Peter Pan?
There are certainly different boundaries between childhood and adulthood for the male and female characters in J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Let's look at some examples.
We will start with Wendy, who is the female protagonist in the story. She certainly has her share of adventures in Neverland, but she also has a great deal of responsibility. Wendy, in fact, has to grow up quickly when she takes on the role of the Lost Boys' "mother" and tries to make a home for them. This is certainly a long way from Peter's idea of never-ending childhood. Wendy becomes a caregiver for her brothers and the other boys, who want to remain children forever.
When Peter wants Wendy to return to Neverland with him after Wendy and her brothers return home, Wendy does not go. Her place is in the real world, yet her mother suggests she make an annual visit. Wendy will help Peter with his spring cleaning!
Wendy does grow up in spite of everything, and she marries and has a daughter of her own. Only then does Peter return. Wendy gives her daughter, Jane, permission to go with Peter to Neverland and take her place with the spring cleaning chores. Indeed, girls certainly grow up more quickly and are expected to have more responsibility than boys in this story.