-
Adolescence
- Gene (age 14) is struggling to adhere to a specific way of expressing himself and finding things that specifically define him (activities, friends, & educational pursuits for example).
- Identity vs. Identity confusion: the goal is to develop a coherent identity or fail doing so and not identifying with anything or even themselves.
-
Early Adulthood
- Gene (21) is struggling to find a girlfriend because he is fairly antisocial, but has secured a date on Thursday.
- Intimacy vs. Isolation: during early adulthood, the main challenge is to form a comfortable, long-term relationship.
-
Middle Adulthood
- Gene (40) lives on his own and does not have a wife, but finds contentment in providing for his adopted kids and is also a teacher, which is something else he finds contentment in.
- Generativity vs. Stagnation: main challenge is to find contentment in providing for someone or spurring on a new generation.