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Intimacy vs Isolation
At the age of 21, Erick has decided to move towns in order to be closer to his girlfriend of 2 years. This is a big decision in a crisis because Erick had the option to choose to break up (isolation), or fully commit to the relationship (intimacy). -
Generativity vs Stagnation
Erick has now been teaching for 15 years, and has been offered a position as principal of a nearby middle school. He makes the choice to take the job in order to have more ability to impact the students' life. This was a crisis of choosing to remain a normal teacher (stagnation), or choosing to commit fully to helping the young students he teaches (generativity). -
Integrity vs Despair
Erick now sits on his porch in a rocking chair he made by hand some years ago. He smokes his cigar with his dog next to him on the hardwood. The woman he moved towns to be closer to has now been his wife for as long as he can remember. His former students have gone on to achieve great things. It is easy for him to look back on his life with great satisfaction (integrity), and he has few regrets (despair).