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Identity vs. Identity Confusion (Adolescence)
Stan Lee graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School at age 17. After high school, he was hired as an editorial assistant for Timely Comics which would later be Marvel Comics. By 1942, he was promoted to editor. Erikson's fifth stage Identity vs. Identity Confusion, is when the individual finds out who they are and what they can do. If they have difficulty in this stage, they experience identity confusion. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation (Early Adulthood)
Around age 25, Stan Lee marries Joan Boocock. Before they were married they only knew each other for less than 24 hours. Joan was already married to someone else but she decided to get a divorce because she was more interested in Stan than her husband. Erikson's sixth stage Intimacy vs. Isolation, young adults establish themselves in a long-term relationship. The crisis in this stage is if the individual is not willing to find or commit themselves to a relationship, ending up in isolation. -
Ego Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood)
Stan Lee passed away at age 95 from a cardiac arrest due to respiratory and congestive heart failure. Looking back on his life, It's evident that he had little to no regret. As co-creator of Marvel, this franchise over time became more successful and reached a larger audience. Erikson's eighth stage, ego vs. despair is about reflecting on one's lifetime, and if they have accepted their life, it means that they reached ego integrity. However, a person with many regrets has lived life in despair.