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Birth
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Initiative vs Guilt Stage
At the age of 5, my parents divorced which affected my life at both the micro system and meso system level. The divorce and the court orders by the judge hindered my relationship with my father.
My parent's divorce made me feel guilty at times but I adjusted well to my new life because of my brother. My mom had to work more so my brother would be the one interacting with me. He helped instill initiative in me by letting me take the lead in games and giving me responsibilities around the house. -
Identity vs Role Confusion Stage
After my 18th birthday my life changed so fast. I was exploring my role in the world and developing a stronger racial identity. I took pride in being a Latina who finished High School.For many, in the Latin culture, once you are 18 you are considered an adult and have to contribute to the household. At a macro level, the cultural expectations forced me to find a job, get a car and start college. At a micro level, the relationship with my mom was deteriorating as I strived for independence. -
Intimacy vs Isolation Stage
At 23, I was able to transfer to a university and knew exactly what I wanted to focus on career wise. This was a turning point in my life because at the micro level, my professor of ethnic studies helped me gain a greater sense of self; especially as a Latina woman who did not become a statistic. I was living with my partner but that only brought my mother and I closer. At the exosystem level, when I moved out it gave us the opportunity to focus on building our relationship. Life was good. -
Empowerment Stage
At the age of 26, I am currently working at a Family Resource Center in a low income community where I have been able to apply the knowledge I've acquired through experiences and education. At a macro level, I've gained an awareness of how social, economic and political barriers can affect oneself and a community. This has empowered me to continue my education to better serve others. At a micro level, I strive to instill self love and empowerment in the youth and adults I serve.
