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Mary Smith
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16 Year Old Mary's Mother Abandons Her
Mary Smith had just turned 16 years old and her mother walked out on her whole family in the middle of the night, leaving Mary to care for and raise her 4 younger sisters. In Erikson's fifth crisis, the identity vs. role confusion, this age group looks for a sense of self and who they are meant to be. Mary is affected negatively by the burden of raising her sisters and therefore looks negatively on motherhood and having her own children one day. Her virtue of fidelity, however, is strong. -
Mary Gets Hitched!
Mary meets Andrew at an American Legion Dance and falls in love. Andrew convinces Mary to marry him and they move to Alaska and proceed to have 8 children: 6 girls and 2 boys. In Erikson's 6th stage, Intimacy vs. Isolation, the young adult explores the possibility of sharing themselves with another person, not in their family. Mary achieves success in this stage as she declares she has found love with Andrew. -
Mary Understands Death is Near
Mary is 97 years old and looking back on her life. She has 32 grandkids, 20 great grandkids and more. She has built an enormous, loving family. In Erikson's 8th stage, Integrity vs. Despair, the person reflects on whether or not their life has been a meaningful one. Mary is proud of the legacy she is leaving behind and knows she had built her own empire out of love. She is grateful for her kin and is at peace and ready to rest. She has achieved acceptance and the virtue of wisdom.
