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Stephen's Life
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Stephen's School Achievements: Industry v.s. Inferiority
Stephen (age 8) is excelling at school. He finds that he is especially good at math and has an interest for science. Even though he realizes that he is not as popular as other kids his age, he is quite happy with his grades. Overall, he has high self-esteem. Stephen is going through Erikson's 4th stage of Industry v.s. Inferiority; when children compare themselves to their peers. The crisis is between having successes and feeling proud of your capabilities, or feeling inferior to your peers. -
Stephen's Career Decisions: Identity v.s. Role Confusion
Stephen (age 17) considers himself a brainy person. He is the leader of his school's STEM club. At first he wanted to be an engineer, but after volunteering at a shelter, he realizes his love for animals. He now wants to become a veterinarian. Stephen is in Erikson's 5th stage: Identity v.s. Role Confusion. This stage is about discovering your identity and aspirations through experimentation. The crisis is: a strong sense of self and purpose, or confusion as to who you are and ought to become. -
Veterinary Work: Generativity v.s. Stagnation
Stephen (age 43) has his own veterinary practice. He is also married and has two kids. He loves being a family man and loves to volunteer. He holds events to give free veterinary care to the needy. He feels like he is making a positive difference in his community. Stephen is in Erikson's 7th stage: Generativity v.s. Stagnation. The crisis is between feeling like your work is meaningful for yourself and society, or feeling like you have little societal purpose or productivity.
