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A Lifetime Bond
Lily,(age 1.5)is often left to be cared for by her aunts or grandmother due to her single mothers work schedule.Erikson's first stage,Trust vs.Mistrust,which means,that when an infant is growing up they're ability to be able to trust depends on the caregivers' way of nurturing. If they are loving/caring the infant will be able to establish trust. In Lily's situation,although her mother is not always there, she is still shown love on a daily basis which is still establishing a strong trust bond. -
Confusion
Lily(Age3) is scolded by her grandmother, because she ran around without a shirt on.She feels strange when her grandmother tells her that only "nasty" girls show their private parts.Eriksons' 2nd stage,Autonomy vs. shame & doubt,the crisis in which toddlers begin to take notice of themselves and establish good self confidence or shame depending on how parents allow them to "explore". Lily, will grow up being ashamed of her breast and always cover herself to not be consider "nasty". -
To do or not to do?
Lily(age5) decided to dress herself that morning. She waited for her mother, excited & proud of herself for having done it on her own. Her mother however did not approve saying she looked "crazy" ,& instead picked out another outfit and made her change.Similar to Eriksons' 3rd stage, initiative vs guilt, where kids begin to do things on their own, depending on how the parent either approves/scolds the child might feel guilt, or encouraged.Lily felt guilty & sad for her "crazy" outfit/idea. -
One Smart Cookie
Lily(age 10) wins her class spelling bee, her teacher told her she knew she'd win because she's so smart for her age. Erikson's 4th stage,Industry vs Inferiority, the crises during middle childhood when kids are either praised in school & encouraged by parents/teachers then they tend to be more motivated to do better. If they are often told how "bad" they are they won't be as motivated because they feel defeated. Lily has been consistently praised and encouraged which makes her works harder. -
I Love You More Than I Love Myself
Lily(age 22) is now officially engaged to her 5 year boyfriend Lee, they are officially ready to take the next step in their lives and spend forever together. In Erikson's 5th stage, Intimacy vs Isolation, which is the crisis in which people choose to either be emotionally connected to people/relationships that become intimate, or they choose to closed off/isolate themselves from people. Lily & Lee will now spend the rest of their lives together and in turn become in some aspects "one".
