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Industry vs. Inferiority
On 12 March 2020 public school was cancelled for the remainder of the year. At 5, Tommy struggled to learn to read and write in kindergarten. His parents worked full time and had little patience. His dyslexia went unnoticed. He will enter first grade feeling inferior due to an inability to read and write compared to others. In Erikson's fourth stage, industry vs. inferiority, the struggle is to gain confidence in one's ability to achieve goals and become industrious in societal competencies. -
Identity vs. Role Confusion
On 12 March 2032 Tommy attends a career fair (he is 17). A booth advertises diesel mechanic training. He never visits it. High School is a struggle with his dyslexia. He simply wants to graduate. His only strength is auto mechanics. He can read an engine; it makes sense. He has no confidence to tackle more school. With no engine to work on, he doesn't fit in society. Erikson's fifth stage is identity vs. role confusion as adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity. -
Intimacy vs. Isolation
On 12 March 2042 Tommy marries the love of his life, Sandra. He is 27 years old. After a lifetime of struggling to find his place, Sandra taught him more about his potential than he ever discovered on his own. Sandra, a school teacher specializing in children with learning disabilities, made it comfortable for him to share his insecurities and invest in an intimate relationship. Erikson's sixth stage, intimacy vs. isolation, describes the struggle to form intimate, loving relationships.
