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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Rigly, age 3, was on the playground with her friends while her father watched. Suddenly she developed a look of panic. Her dad knew what was happening but allowed her to waddle over and ask if they could go to the bathroom. He said absolutely and praise her for coming and asking. The crisis Rigly just navigated was whether to use the control she has over her own body and develop more independence or continue to rely solely on her caregivers which would make her doubt her own control. -
Industry vs. Inferiority
Rigly, age 8, was showing her mom her homework. Her mom asked where her english assignment was and Rigly reluctantly gave her a crumpled paper with a D on it. Her mom explained how failing is important and that it was something they would overcome together. Feeling better, Rigly came running inside monday afternoon with a B on her next assignment. The crisis she was navigating was her competence in some of her subjects and the inferiority she felt from not succeeding in her new academic demands. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation
Rigly called home and asked if she could come home for the night. When she arrived, she burst into tears and explain how she just went through her first breakup. She told her parents she had found someone she trusted but that they had poor sense of self. She felt the relationship was not long lasting and had to break it off early. The crisis Rigly went through was analyzing a relationship in her life and prioritizing it based on the intimacy and isolation it would bring to her life.