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Dave
When Dave was 17, he graduated High School and took a break from things. He moved around the country doing odd jobs, grew out his hair, and just lived day-to-day. Now, at 19 he decides to be someone else, so he took his dad's advice and joined the Army. In Erikson's fifth stage, Identity vs Identity Confusion, we are trying to figure out who we are unique to others and what groups we fit in to. The crisis may lead to a happy sense of self and belonging or being unhappy with our place in society. -
Dave and Edwina
At 30, Dave marries Edwina. This is his second wife but he knows it will be his forever wife. They've only known each other about a year, but they are willing to commit their lives to each other, move away, and have a family. Erikson's Intimacy vs Isolation is the stage they are in together. In this stage, the crisis surrounds our relationships and capability of sharing love and emotions with others. If we aren't capable of intimacy, we risk pushing others away and feeling lonely or sad. -
Dave gets a kitten
Dave retired two years ago and is now 64. Last week he got really contemplative: have I been a good father, did I do enough in my job, what should I do now? So today, he went down to the animal shelter and offered to volunteer, but he left he brought a kitten to keep him company at home while Edwina works. Erikson's eighth stage, Ego Integrity vs Despair, leads us to explore our feelings of regret (or despair) for some of our life events or to positive reflection on living a good life.
