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Trust Vs. Mistrust (Birth to 12-18 Months)

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Trust Vs. Mistrust (Birth to 12-18 Months)

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First and most important stage. This stage is where an infant should develop a sense of trust. Trust is developed when caregivers are properly caring for the child’s basic needs. When the child’s needs are not met, they develop a sense of mistrust and a negative sense of the world.
I developed basic trust in my early months because all of my basic needs were met consistently.

“If trust predominates, as it should, children develop hope; the belief they can fulfill their needs and obtain their desires.”

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Autonomy Vs. Shame and Doubt (12-18 Months to 3 Years) 

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Autonomy Vs. Shame and Doubt (12-18 Months to 3 Years) 

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A child begins to have self-awareness. They are able to begin communicating their needs instead of waiting for them to be met.
As I began developing my sense of self-awareness, my parents had split during that time. I was able to make my own judgment toward my caregivers and was able to vocalize that I wanted to be with my mom.

“ As children are better able to make their wishes understood, they become more powerful and independent.”

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In the third stage children are still building on their feelings regarding self. As they began to socialize more they start to develop their own morals.

Through my preschool years, after the separation I wasn’t able to gain my social aspect of the third stage. I was very quiet, and developed a bigger sense of guilt/fear.

“This conflict marks a split between two parts of the personality: the part that remains a child, full of exuberance and a desire to test new powers, and the part that is becoming an adult, constantly examining the propriety of motives and actions.”

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Industry Vs. Inferiority ( 6 Years to Puberty)

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Industry Vs. Inferiority ( 6 Years to Puberty)

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In the fourth stage, children begin to develop self-esteem based upon how they view themselves through accomplishment and praise.

Moving through elementary school and into middle school, I was in split households. On one side, I had praise, motivation, support etc. and on the other I was talked down too, and made to feel less than. But with both houses I developed both industry and inferiority. I always tried to work hard but at the same time never thought I was doing enough.

“ A major determinant of Self-esteem is children's view of their capacity for productive work.”

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Identity Vs. Identity Confusion (Puberty to Young Adulthood)

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Identity Vs. Identity Confusion (Puberty to Young Adulthood)

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The fifth stage is the ability to know who you are and being comfortable with who you are.
As mentioned previously, my childhood circumstances pushed me in the direction of self discovery at a young age. But because of that I was able to find a purpose within myself. I knew who I wanted to be and how I wanted to act. Therefore also giving me the ability of fidelity, I can commit to something and follow it through.

“ The effort to make sense of the self is part of a healthy process that builds on the achievements of earlier stages…and lays the groundwork for coping with the challenges of adult life.

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Intimacy Vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

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Intimacy Vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

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The sixth stage deals with the ability of forming relationships.

At this stage in my life, I was more isolated. Playing sports was my way of social interaction but I preferred to stay at home with my mom aside from that.

“The capacity for intimacy is related to psychological adjustment and social competence.”

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Generativity Vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

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Generativity Vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

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The seventh stage is the development of one’s future as an adult.

I am just in the very beginning of setting the path for my future. I am in college, I work full time, and I am in a committed relationship.

“ Today the road to adulthood may be marked by multiple milestones-entering college, working, moving away from home, getting married, and having children- and the order and timing of these transitions vary.”

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The final stage is the acceptance of a life lived. You either take your experiences in life as they were or continue to dwell on what could have been.

I have not yet made it to the last stage but I hope to accept the life I had lived when the time comes.

“ At any point in the life span, development could shift in a positive direction, and a crisis might be successfully resolved and a new strength developed.”