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Filip, aged 3, is left at an orphanage in Bran, Romania, by his parents. He is the youngest of 7 and his parents cannot afford to feed him. Filip goes from being cared for by siblings to being one among many cared for by few staff. He is constrained to a crib in a room with many other children. In Erikson’s 2nd stage, the crisis is if the child has freedom to make independent choices and build confidence (autonomy), or is he tightly controlled and punished (leading to shame and doubt)? -
Filip, 8, starts his 2nd week of school in his new home, Everett, WA, where his adoptive family lives. He's been there for 6 months. His English is improving but he struggles to understand the teacher and students. He is alone at recess and never participates in class. His classmates ignore him, his teacher reaches out to him and his parents help him study. In Erikson’s 4th stage, will he be encouraged and succeed at the tasks expected of him, becoming industrious, or fail and feel inferior? -
Filip, 18, graduates high school, performing on cello as part of the ceremony; he has a solo as the top musician in the orchestra. He will study music at UW; this was what he was devoted to in high school. His family has a small celebration with 3 adoptive siblings and his 2 best friends. In Erikson’s 5th stage, the crisis is to find a substantial enough identity or role in society and culture to feel fulfilled, otherwise they will feel confused about their identity and paralyzed by the future.