Robert Bly wrote a book called Iron John : A book about men.  It takes a fairytale about a young man and relates it to the various phases a boy must go through in order to become a man.  It explains what happens when the passage through these phases is interrupted, redirected or stalled.  It is a fascinating read and explains a great deal about how many men the world over seem to be trapped in adolescence with issues relating to poor impulse control and instant gratification.