In which one of Erikson's eight stages of life you believe ...



At this time, I am in Erikson’s seventh stage, middle age. At this point, it is important for the adult to learn how to care for another person. Generativity versus stagnation. Generativity has a broader meaning then just having children. “Each adult must find some way to satisfy and support the next generation.” (SOURCE: Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of PsychosocialDevelopment. . Accessed 11/15/09.) In Erikson’s own words, “A person does best at this time to put aside thoughts of death and balance its certainty with the only happiness that is lasting: to increase, by whatever is yours to give, the goodwill and higher order in your sector of the world"(SOURCE: Erikson, E.H. (1974). Dimensions of a New Identity. New York: Norton.)

This is the period of parenthood, of surrendering one’s life for another, not being smothered by it, but instead embracing the opportunity to help a new life get started and develop and begin to think for itself. We see in this growth of the youth a new life, a continuation of our lifestyle and culture, a way to show the world we tried to leave it in better hands than our own. And we do all this knowing that our own children and those we help usher into this growth could well turn around and reject us and all we stand for, leaving us standing in a house that is no longer a home, in a world that we no longer see with a bright future ahead because our children will make it a better place.

(FILL IN DETAILS FROM YOUR PERSONAL LIFE HERE)

I was actually able to observe another person who is in the Adolescent stage. His main question: Identity vs. Role Confusion. His entire, young life is spent in searching for his own role in lie and establishing an identity. The teachers in his school threatened to cut his hair, he tries to leave it long. The clothes he has worn for the last 13 years that were given to him by mom and dad were not good enough, so he received a gift card to go buy his own clothes last birthday. He still wants to be identified with his family, but he also does not want to seen with them unless everyone else is also with their parents.

At the same time that he desires money of his own, he no longer wants to be responsible for anything but schoolwork. He still sees the world as something safe, someplace where he can drift along in this state forever (someone needs to discuss the concept of cognitive dissonance with him), living in what would be his ideal world, while wanting to be considered an adult, moved to his own room away from all others, and allowed to do things he wants on the computer. In addition, he daydreams of expensive clothes and expensive cars.

(Compare your life to his here)

SOURCES:

Learningplaceonline. . Accessed 11/15/09.

Erik Erikson's 8 Stages of PsychosocialDevelopment. . Accessed 11/15/09.

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood. . Accessed 11/15/09.

Businessball,.com. . Accessed 11/15/09.

Erikson, E.H. (1974). Dimensions of a New Identity. New York: Norton.

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