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Identity vs Identity confusion
Jerry, (age 19) joined the Coast Guard shortly after completing high school. Leaving everything he knew behind let him learn new things about himself. In Erickson's fifth stage Identity versus Identity Confusion, Jerry began to discover who he was, apart from his family. Beginning a new identity as a military service member he knew that the characteristic traits he developed as a child would in turn prove to be who he'd become as a man. -
Intimacy versus Isolation
Jerry (age 22), married Christina (age 17), joining both their lives and conflicts alike. By opening themselves up to one another despite their differences and becoming a joint union, Jerry faced Erickson's sixth stage: Intimacy versus Isolation. By sharing himself he established an intimate connection with Christina. Ultimately avoiding the conflict of isolation where he would not have shared himself with anyone. -
Generativity versus Stagnation
Jerry (age 43), welcomed his first grand child into the world. After successfully raising two children he continued to share his knowledge and passion given to his children with his grandchild. As a generative person, the sharing and passing of such matters leads to Erickson's seventh stage: Generativity versus Stagnation. Generativity being the sharing and passing on compared to stagnation where he could have focused primarily on himself and his own needs rather than the needs of others.
