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Steve decided to become a lawyer. This was directly against his fathers wishes to become a doctor, though not completely in competition with the directive from parents to get any college education. The crisis of this stage regards where one finds their own path, or follows the path instilled by mentor/parent. Steve found a mix between partial identity by choosing his own college education, and partial role confusion, by letting his parents pressure for college education force him into a degree. -
Steve decides, after long and painful deliberation, to pay for his sons college education (generativity). He chose this in direct contradiction to his wife's opposition. This relates to the conflict of whether or not to support and provide for the following generation, or stagnate and self invest. Steve chose to provide for the next generation (paying for college) by assisting his son to get a college education, instead of investing said money in his own self desires (stagnation). -
After many years, Steve looks back at his numerous offspring, and their success in all departments, and is quite satisfied. In religious, career, and relationship considerations, all three children are surrounded by achievements. His battle is between integrity, vs despair, (or, in summary, whether or not he looks back with overall positive, or negative reflections,) has a clear answer. Overall, Steve seems quite pleased with what he'll be leaving behind, and passes the 8th stage cleanly.