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Adolescence
Aaron (age 17) was arrested for shoplifting with a group of friends after class. His parents tried to explain the consequences of theft, but Aaron believed that since his friends thought it was okay, he could get away with it.
Aaron is in Erikson's fifth stage, Identity vs. identity confusion
The crisis is creating a sense of self and his own identity from his family -
Emerging Adulthood
Aaron (age 25) and Elizabeth marry after dating for five years and want to start a family of their own.
This is Erikson's sixth stage, intimacy vs. isolation
The crisis in this stage is the need to form loving and committed relationships with others which will lead to marriage. -
Adulthood
Aaron (age 40) and Elizabeth have twins in middle school and make time to spend time with them and teach them how to live in society and take them to extracurricular activities such as sports and music lessons.
This is the seventh stage generativity vs. stagnation
The crisis in this stage is to contribute to society in a meaningful way and to take care of things that will outlive them, such as parenting.
