Javonte Beddifield: Generatively Vs. Stagnation Stage

Much like Maeve’s trial and error phase, Erikson’s theory of identity versus role confusion explains psychological conflict of adolescence. This theory states that this conflict is resolved positively when adolescents achieve an identity after a period of exploration and inner soul searching. If a young person’s earlier conflicts were resolved negatively or if society limits their choices to ones that do not match their abilities and desires, they may appear shallow, directionless, and unprepared for the challenges of late adulthood. (p. 314). Maeve luckily didn’t make many choices that were resolved negatively. These social and emotional changes weren’t always easy for the rest of the family to deal with, but they were a part of her growth. With us there to provide nurturing support, she was able to develop her own healthy identity after her period of “soul searching.”

Lori had learned how adults should be acting, and she took matters into her own hands and become the adult in the situation, a sign that she is becoming more independent. “Before Mom left, she gave me two hundred dollars” (209). At the age thirteen Jeannette’s mother is already leaving her in charge of their finances and of the family. She trusts that Jeannette has become self-sufficient and trusts that she will do the right thing and make correct choices. Jeannette and Lori have to take up responsibility and put into action the knowledge of being self-sufficient whenever their mother leaves them in

Along with her parents, Jeannette has taken part in raising her family too. "Mom says I'm mature for my age," I told them, "and she lets me cook for myself a lot." (Walls 2.1.14). Jeannette was neglected as a child, having to prepare meals on the table, raise herself, and such which caused her to quickly mature taking care of her siblings and herself. “I liked knowing that I could do what grown-ups did for a living.” (Walls 2.18.9). Jeannette did many things her parents did not do. She was a young girl living as a grown up, helping her parents raise a

The life stages for an individual changes as a person grows older and has various experiences in life. There is a change in the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth as an individual age. “The process of development is linked to internal conflicts, changing self-awareness, and a dynamic social environment” (Newman & Newman, 2012). Understanding the current stage, assist the counselor in therapeutically preparing for treatment. This paper will view the members of the Gilbert family including Gilbert, Arnie, and Bonnie Grape through various life stages from school age

On Tuesday, April 5, 2016 I interview Karla Bly who lives in Sioux Center. Mrs. Bly is married and has four children between the ages 25 and 12. She is 48 years old and has lived in Iowa for her entire life. The stage of life that Karla is in is middle adult hood, it is defined as, “The developmental period beginning at approximately 40 years of age and extending to about 60 to 65 years of age. For many people. Middle adult-hood is a time of declining physical skills and expanding responsibility.” (Santrock, 336) When Karla was in her 20’s and 30’s she thought that she knew everything, but it turned out that she did not know everything yet. When she was in her 20’s she had three little children running around at home, things were busy and chaotic.

Connie’s mother constantly puts her down and compares Connie to her sister June. “June did this, June did that, she saved money and helped clean the house and cooked and Connie couldn’t do a thing, her mind was all filled with trashy daydreams” (Oates 651). Connie is a teenager who fantasizes about being an adult, as do most adolescents. However, at the age of fifteen, her mother cannot expect Connie to be like June because she is still trying to find her identity.

My next concept I connected with from the book was, the concept of birth order role. I was the youngest child and felt that growing up, that I stuck to my birth order role. As the book states “Many youngest children are pampered, both by parents and by other siblings.” (Nelsen, p.52) I was very pampered growing up, it was until my brother left for college I began to do outdoor chores. Before that, I had never taking out the trash or raked leaves. Besides my parents and brother, I was even pampered by my father’s side of the family. All of them would offer to help me to things, or just do them for me. I think being the only girl and younger grandchild, factored into me being pampered as well. An example of that would be, I began driving at 15

This is an attempt to resolve the issues between Terry and Bill, who have two children. The first child is Dawn, and she is having trouble adjusting to the lack of attention from her parents. The parents are traditional, where as the father works and the mother stays at home. Both her parent used to be extremely focused and attentive on Dawn; subsequently, her sibling, Darren has congenital heart problems. Darren require more attention, and the parents are having difficulties paying for his medical need, as a result Dawn is lonely without her parents. Her father works long hours to pay for Darren’s abundant medical costs, and her mother is so tired of bills and caring for Darren that she expect Dawn to be a grownup; nevertheless, Terry assumes Dawn is much more mature than Darren. They are high and unreasonable expectations for Dawn. (Broderick and Blewitt, 2014).

Laney was born on August 11, 1994. She was the second born, and has a sister who is four years older than her. When her parents got pregnant with her, she was planned but her parents were trying for a boy. Her parents have been together since they were in high school and got married at the age of 20. Six years into their marriage they finally decided to have kids and planned for it. Laney’s mom went to beauty school and her dad went to carpentry school. Since neither of her parents went to a University, money was sparse. Both of Laney’s parents worked very hard in the beginning of their careers. Her dad started his own carpentry business in 1989 and her mom worked at a salon. Both of Laney’s parents are from Devils Lake, North Dakota but moved to Fargo in 1987 to raise a family. Her parents socioeconomic status was low when she born and had no access to medical care. Laney’s first home was a house in North Fargo.

One example I can share is being the third to the youngest out of ten siblings can be very difficult. When I was a child, I found myself always fighting for attention and wanting to be heard. This situation or crises is carried over into my adulthood. As an adult I find it difficult to speak up for myself, as well as become reserved because how I felt as a child, no one wanted to listen. I understand Erickson’s theory of each stage has critical moments to help each individual to transition from one stage to another, as well as how unresolved crises are difficult to confront when not resolved

The adolescence stage in Erikson’s theory occurs between age twelve to age eighteen, where the conflict to be resolved includes identity versus role confusion. During this timeframe, the individual establishes a sense of self, where successful

Jane is currently an undergraduate student at a private university. She is currently twenty-one years old, and grew up in a small community on Cape Cod, Massachusetts where she has lived her entire life. Jane has two older sisters, who, for the purpose of this study who will be referred to as Eliza and Alex. Eliza is seven years older than Jane, with a husband and child of her own,. Alex is four years older than Jane, and has a form of down syndrome. Because of her disability, Alex often requires constant attention from her parents, and even still lives at home.

The adolescent years and emerging adulthood have completely different phases. The assignment was to ask two different people of two different ages an allotment of questions. I chose to ask my sister, Nicolle, who is fifteen years of age and in the category of teenager, and asked my boyfriend, Collin, who is twenty-one years of age and an emerging adult. Nicolle is a junior in high school, while Collin is a returned missionary attending Brigham Young University. Each of them has lived similar, yet quite different lives.

J.L. is a 67 year-old Caucasian, female. Under the Erikson’s stages, she falls under the integrity versus despair stage, where many adults review their lives with a sense of satisfaction, even with their inevitable mistakes (Perry, Stocker, Hall, 2013), she stated to being proud of having two professional children. She worked hard to raise them good.

In one year, I see Junior growing in a positive direction. He shows many signs of cognitive strength. Within this year, I would predict Junior will make a smooth transition into kindergarten. His home environment encourages him to explore and create. This allows him to grow without fear, shame, or guilt. Eva, provides him patience, love, and support. I firmly believe Junior will be able to confront new challenges while overcoming the crises related to Erikson’s stages of development. During this year, Junior will be adjusting as Eva and Brett introduce a new member to the family. Having observed Juniors personality, I would predict he will want to nurture his baby brother. I would imagine Junior will be eager to have someone to share his experiences