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Supportive and caring mom
Adam (age 3 1/2) takes a stroll to the park with his mom when he trips. Instead of rushing to his side, his mother waits to see his reaction and allows him to pick himself up.
In Erikson's 2nd stage (autonomy vs. shame and doubt) the crisis is between the toddler establishing a healthy sense of self-sufficiency by handling problems on their own or shame and doubt when a parent/caregiver ridicules, doesn't allow, or rushes to save when their attempts to do things on their own. -
Unpleasant memory
Adam's (age 9) 4th grade teacher ridicules him when he asks, in front of the entire class, why we can only see 1/2 of the moon certain times of the month. Since this has happened, he is reluctant to raise his hand to ask or answer questions.
In Erikson's 4th stage (industry vs. inferiority) a child can be excited to learn and share when they are in a supportive environment or they can be made to feel inferior and reluctant to share when there is discouragement by a teacher. -
He said "Yes!"
It's New Year's Eve and Adam (age 27) is planning to propose to his partner. It seems everything is falling into place the last year- he finished law school, works for a practice he can be proud of, and has found someone he can spend the rest of his life with.
In this stage (intimacy vs. isolation) the young adult puts himself out there and risks rejection at the hopes of finding a long term intimate partner. -
3 Marvelous Sons
Adam (age 69) is sitting watching his oldest son Ty (age 31) push his daughter (age 3) on a swing. It hits him that his greatest accomplishment in life was to raise 3 marvelous sons (with his partner of coarse). He couldn't be more proud of any thing else he ever did.
In the 8th stage (ego integrity vs. despair) the old person takes stock of their life and determines if was a life worth living. If the answer is yes, there may be a sense of pride, but if not, a sense of despair.
