·     Each stage has a developmental crisis

·     These stages are set- there is only moving forward, no returning to these stages

 

It is important to be aware and acknowledge these stages of development and recognize how they contribute to the whole being. Based on the individual experiences of our students, they may or may not have achieved the virtues that each stage affords if progressed through successfully. Conflicts such as trust vs. mistrust and autonomy vs. shame and guilt could come into play in our classrooms. It is also important to note the conflict that our students will be facing while in our classrooms: identify vs. role confusion.

1.    Has the person engaged in an active search for identity?

2.    Has the person made commitments?

 

*These can be applied to a diverse sum of identities including career, religious, gender, social “tribe,” political, etc.

Personal Note: I am in the identity achievement stage of my career according to Marcia's theory!

The links to the stories on the Romanian orphanage and Marlowe's monkeys exemplified the need for healthy attachment in young children. This aligns with Erickson's theory regarding the first stage of trust vs. mistrust. Feeling loved and cared for forms the essential foundation of how we can develop into secure adults.

Level 1: Preconvention Ethics (Egocentric)

o  Stage 1: punishment, obedience (“Getting caught”)

o  Stage 2: punishment, but reciprocity (“Eye for an eye”)

Level 2: Conventional Ethics (Perspective Taking)

o  Stage 3: Interpersonal Harmony (“Being Good”)

o  Stage 4: Rules are absolute (Because I said so”)

Level 3: Postconventional Ethics (Moral Principles beyond Society)

o  Stage 5: Social Contract (Spirit of the law vs. Letter of the Law)

o  Stage 6: Universal Principles (For the greater good)

*The stages are based more so on the rationale, not the answer

I can recall many moral dilemmas faced in my lifetime, but one that came to mind involves my position as a parent. It was definitely one of those moments where I felt conflicted because I was a teenager once too, but now standing in the shoes of the person with the “final say” I chose the road that I hated my parents for taking at times. 

 

My 15 year old recently called me from school to ask if he could go home with one of his senior friends (who my husband and I know) because they wanted to go to a party that night. My son is a freshman, and granted it was a Thursday night, but for a moment I felt conflicted. My child has always been honest with me, and I had no reason to believe that he was going to a party that would put him in an unsafe situation. I was a huge social butterfly in high school, and my parents always trusted me and allowed me to go out with my friends regardless of what night of the week it was. I maintained high grades, and never broke their trust. I trust my son, but honestly, I felt unsure about this party that I couldn’t get details on. In that moment, I decided to say no. My son was super bummed, but he said that I wasn’t being fair, and I took the “Because I said so” route that is often traveled by parents (Stage 4). 

 

While I wanted to say yes to my child, because let’s face it, teens need freedom to experience these types of social situations, but I couldn’t say yes due to the lack of details. And I felt bad afterwards because I didn’t play the role of “cool mom who says yes.” We talked about it later and my son said he understood where I was coming from, and it was okay. I still felt bad though because I know the day will come when I have to let go a bit. After all, he is my child and I do have faith in his ability to make good decisions. Then he will go on to face his own moral dilemmas.

Learning: growth and change due to experience