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Rebecca Franklin
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Rebecca Adopts a Kitten: Initiative vs. Guilt
Rebecca (Age 5) wanted a kitten. Her parents told her that she could have the kitten if she developed a plan on how to care for it. Rebecca had a choice: should she show initiative to achieve her desire? She decided yes and chose to interview her friends with cats to find out the best food and veterinary office. Satisfied, her parents supported her initiative and--by doing so--helped her to grow a sense of confidence and purpose. The next day, Rebecca picked out a gray kitten named Sophie. -
Rebecca Leaves her Partner: Intimacy vs. Isolation
Rebecca and Felicity had been together for nearly 3 years when Felicity started talking about marriage. Rebecca panicked at the thought of marriage because she felt she barely knew herself let alone how she would function in a permanent partnership. She decided the best option was to break things off and work on her own identity and self-concept. In doing so, Rebecca chose isolation over intimacy and often felt lonely because of it. -
Rebecca Decides to Have a Child: Generativity vs. Stagnation
Rebecca never married, but she still wanted to contribute to the next generation through raising a child. She knew she didn't want to give birth, so she decided to become a foster parent. In doing so, she felt like she was contributing positively to the lives of others and leaving her mark on the world. Rebecca chose generativity over stagnation even though she knew being a foster parent would be difficult work.
