The Moment Poised On The Edge Of Chaos

sometimes I wish you’d just get me, 
without me having to explain.
but I guess that’s just the life, 
of someone who’s strange.

well, I’m glad that I’m in my second trimester, so the nausea is pretty much gone for a time. but this crampiness/ short of breathness/stuffy nose replaced it. Ah well, pregnancy will be pregnancy. I am thankful that I’m 16 weeks and not really showing, minus my tits being GIGANTIC. hah.

I’m not sure if I’m ever going to get used to feeling the little one moving around inside me, hah.

tomorrow’s my final jury for voice

i’m nervous.

because I’m not nearly prepared

I haven’t been able

to concentrate musically.

I think that’s the main thing

that’s stressing me out.

Stage 1  (Birth to 1 year old)  Trust versus Mistrust Stage

Erickson believed that during this crucial stage of life it was important that an infant’s basic needs for nourishment and comfort be met by a consistent and attentive caregiver.  If the infant’s needs are met then the child will develop trust in himself and in the word around him, if not then he will grow to be distrustful, suspicious, and withdrawn.  In the worst case scenario a child could eventually grow to develop depression and even paranoia.  It is also at the critical stage that a child develops his/her attachment pattern which will affect all future relationships. Successfully completing this stage of development leads to feelings of hope and optimism.

Erickson believed that a toddler needed to be given the freedom to explore his world and that it was essential for caregivers to provide praise and positive support.  Given this opportunity a child would develop a feeling of independence.  If not the child would learn to doubt himself.  Erickson believed that failure at this stage could later lead to feelings of obsessiveness or avoidance.  Those who successfully completed this stage of development would gain a sense of determination and willpower.Stage 2 (Age 2 - 3)  Autonomy or Independence versus Doubt

Stage 3 (Age 3 - 6) Initiative versus Guilt

According to Erickson during this preschool period a child begins to show initiative and imitate the actions of adults.  If he is permitted and encouraged to do so he will develop initiative and later gain the virtues of purpose and courage.  Failure at this stage would result in feelings of guilt and could later develop into antisocial (criminal) or narcissistic behavior.

Stage 4 (Ages 6 - 12) Industry versus Inferiority

School age children begin to master skills and take on new challenges and activities.  If a child is successful at this stage he will become industrious and gain self worth.  Failure to support a child’s efforts at this stage can lead to feelings of inferiority and incompetence.  Ultimate failure at this stage can lead to life long feelings of helplessness and low self worth.  Children who are successful at this stage acquire the virtue of confidence.

Stage 5 (Ages 13 - 19) Identity versus Role Confusion

This is the stage of adolescence and the goal here is to discover “who you are”.  The teenager must discover his identity in terms of interests, goals, occupation, and sexual orientation.  Teens that are successful at discovering their identity will know their place in the world and can move forward with a sense of purpose.  Those who do not generally remain confused about who they are and what exactly their role is.  In the worse case a person may forever suffer from a sense of “role confusion” and a fragile self-image.

Stage 6 (Ages 20 - 24) Intimacy versus Isolation

This is the stage where young people attempt to develop intimate relationships with friends and members of the opposite sex.  Intimate relationships are those where we can be ourselves and allow ourselves to be vulnerable.  If we are successful at navigating this stage of life we learn how to love and be loved.  Erickson believed that failure at this stage could lead one to become either promiscuous or to isolate oneself from others and reject close relationships.

Stage 7 (25 - 64) Genearativity versus Stagnation

Genearativity refers to the concern for future generations.  One way which humans show Genearativity is by having and raising children.  But anyone who has made valuable contributions to society and has made a mark in the world shows Genearativity.   Individuals who are dissatisfied with their life and who have not achieved anything worthwhile become bitter, self-absorbed, and stagnate.  Successfully negotiating this stage of life leads to feelings of love for future generations and all of mankind.

Stage 8 (65 -   ) Ego Integrity versus Despair

This is the stage where one reflects on his/her life.  When one reaches the final stage of life the crisis is about accepting your life and feeling that you have lived thoroughly and loved thoroughly.  Those who have will develop “ego integrity” or a sense of acceptance about their life and they will not dread death.  Those who have failed to achieve their goals or who have serious regrets about the life they’ve lived will develop a feeling of despair and a greater fear of death.  Wisdom is the ultimate virtue achieved at this stage of life.

Of this final stage of life Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said,  “Live, so you do not have to look back and say:  ’God, how I have wasted my life.’”

These eight stages of man’s development are plausible and insightful descriptions of how personality develops but at present they are descriptions only. We possess only a basic elementary knowledge of just what sort of environment will result in traits of “trust versus distrust”, or clear personal “identity versus role confusion”.

Helping a child through these stages and the encouragement that should accompany them is a complex and difficult task, as any parent or teacher knows. Developmental psychologists are constantly searching for the best ways of accomplishing this.