Everytime I think Phil and high school, I just imagine him and in that Punisher outfit. Sure, buddy!
I wouldn't be that harsh in depiction of Phil's puberty years. Dependently on his peers he either was well adjusted due to social pressure and didn't come up with cringe stuff, or considered as such. To me, he never crossed the phase from being dumb teen/young adult to actual adult. You know, that handles stuff by himself. He surely is dependent on his parents, plumber and other people that he calls to do minor stuff that could be handled by average guy.
But hey, that's me and my retardation.
Parents failed to teach him basic socializing approaches so he failed to fit in with other children
X for doubt.
Very important - parents ingrained the belief that bad things happen outside, and bad people (blacks) lurk around every corner, so staying inside is safer - therefore he didn't participate in common activities for kids (biking, playing sports, climbing trees). This mentality is a core part of his character even today.
Doesn't he have a sibling? In any case, if he was an only child of his overly protective parents he could've been prohibited from doing "risky stuff". But again, It is kinda awkward that his father didn't taught him to ride a bike or swim. I would even assume that his parents never acquired such "skills".
I have high inclination to believe that many habits that adult grow up with are either directly or indirectly cause of parents behavior.
His father was likely not present in his life, or at least not present in a constructive way
I would point my finger that either his father was unpresent or he had better bonds with mother. In any case, his parents, maybe due to religious beliefs, built a very conservative approach of raising a child. That is, father was a provider and rest was on his mother shoulders.
Nonetheless, the picture of his parents isn't pleasing.
Phil, perhaps due to autism, has interpreted that life (and by extent happiness) is a series of general checklists you need to go through. I don't know if someone has instilled those values in them, or he's just that autistic
I doubt that he is autisitc or in spectrum.
In my huble opinion, he was lead by hand throught his life and thus become dependent. I highly doubt that any decision in his life was his own. Rather the likings of his parents. Personally, I don't understand why he has a diploma in business. He seems not to be interested in economy, business, entreprenourship related stuff. I think, it was his parents decision (frankly, a good one) but due to lack of any independence of his own he haven't put any thought about it. Thus, after college he didn't pursue career in business because he's dilettante in this sphere. Parents, probably, told him that their role is over and the result of it was a guy that rather building a family and career, continues with youngster's dream about becoming a progamer. Why? Because he has no clue how world works and he was never let to do stupid stuff.
