Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development presents a framework of eight life stages that individuals go through from birth to death. These stages include infancy, early childhood, childhood (play age), childhood (school age), adolescence and young adulthood, mature adulthood, and old age. Currently, I believe I am in stage six, which is young adulthood. In this stage, the psychosocial challenge is intimacy versus isolation, and the main question to be addressed is how to nurture love and connection.
At the moment, I am feeling stuck at a particular stage and the subsequent one. Nonetheless, I have reached a decision regarding the former. Luckily, I have close friends with whom I share personal relationships. Additionally, I am in a love relationship that resulted in my marriage three years ago. Because of marrying at a young age, comprehending the true essence of love is still an ongoing journey for me. However, this marriage has provided me with a deeper understanding of it. Marriage serves as an initial step towards achieving mature adulthood. Personally, not having children is the only thing preventing me from reaching this stage completely. In my view, this phase would be most fulfilling when accompanied by having kids.
My friend is currently in the mature adulthood stage, which is stage seven according to Erikson’s psychosocial development theory. In this stage, the main issue is generativity versus stagnation or self-absorption. The essential question that arises during this stage is how one can create and leave a meaningful legacy. The ultimate example of generativity is raising children, and that is precisely what my friend is engaged in. She is devotedly raising her children while embodying the qualities of a good and caring parent. Erikson contended that many adults satisfy their inherent “need to be needed” by actively contributing to the next generation (Erikson, 1963). I strongly agree with this viewpoint.
Once the parent has satisfied their needs, they will reach stage eight, known as old age. Erikson’s eight life stages provide insight into one’s current stage in life. Reflecting on these stages, I realize how I have personally experienced aging and gained knowledge throughout my relatively short life. I have achieved numerous accomplishments, and although I sometimes feel like time is passing by too quickly, it is simply the natural progression of life. Each individual progresses through these stages at their own pace, based on their personal aspirations and goals.
