Introduction
Erickson’s Psychological Development stages explain 8 stages through which a developing human who is healthy have to pass from infancy to the late adulthood. According to him, in every stage an individual confronts and buoyantly masters new challenges.
Turning back to the video, it is unquestionably that it is related to Erickson’s Psychological Development stages since from the interview we understand that the “princess boy” enters autonomy vs. shame and doubt stage with more trust than distrust hence this helps him carry the virtue of courage into the remaining stages of development. The boy is very courageous since he happily expresses his authentic self through enjoying the “traditional girl” things such as sparkles, jewelry, or anything pink. Her mother describes him as very energetic and extroverted child who drives lots of his own agenda (Kilodavis and DeSimone 2011).
According to his mother, the “princess boy” began showing interest in the beautiful things when he was 2 years old. At the time of interview, the “princess boy” was 4 years. Thus, according to Erickson, I think the “princess boy” is in the Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt stage because it is a stage that a person falls when he or she is in 2-4 years age gap. He likes to dress up because he suffers from gender identity disorder (Rowland and Incrocci 2008). The boy’s favorite color is pink and red. He got the name “princess boy” by his behavior of dressing up like a girl.
At first, his mother was frozen and shocked when at around 2 years he ran to her in pink heels and a red sequined dress. She first wondered if the other kids were okay with that and whether other parents were looking at her. The boy continued with that behavior and she finally accepted it. I totally agree with her response because the boy’s behavior is innate and there is no anything she can do to discourage him from dressing up like a girl. His brother did not have any problem with his behavior and I also agree with him since it is natural for him to behave that way. When she informed her husband about Dyson’s behavior, he also did not have any problem because he told her that he thought it being great since the “princess boy” had a passion and he picked things that he was really interested in. I too agree with his response because that behavior is inborn. His preschool and friends have accepted him since they have been supportive and I absolutely agree with them.
I think that this boy is gay because he exhibits the common characteristics of gay men such as colorful dressing and his mannerism of speech that is associated with that of a girl. From the boy’s behavior, I think that he is abnormal because it shows that he suffers from a gender identity disorder. I do not think that he will regret having a book and being on television when he gets older because at his autonomy vs. shame and doubt psychological development stage, he has already gained more trust than distrust hence this will help him carry the virtue of courage into his remaining development stages in life as stated in the first paragraph.
I completely agree with his mother and father letting him wear dresses out in the public because it is not his fault to behave how he behaves since it is something inborn. If I had a kid who was “Princess Boy” at early age I would just give him freedom to do what he wants because that is something that will be out of my control. After watching the video, I think parents should accept their children who have a gender identity disorder just as the boy’s parents did. In addition, the society members should also accept them fully since they are born with this problem and it is out of their control (Parker and Parker 2004). This video clip demonstrates how families should respond in case of any problem that affects them negatively. They should join hands and protect their loved ones from being discriminated in case they suffer from any disorder just like how the family in the video did.
References
Kilodavis, C., & DeSimone, S. (2011). My princess boy: A mom's story about a young boy who loves to dress up. New York: Aladdin.
NBC's "Today" Cheers Cross-Dressing Children's Book "My Princess Boy" [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XBCLGDbhKg
Gilbert, R. L. (2002). How we change: Psychotherapy and the process of human development. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Allen, Eileen; Marotz, Lynn (2003). Developmental Profiles Pre-Birth Through Twelve (4th ed.). Albany, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning. ISBN 978-0-7668-3765-2.
Slater, Charles L. (2003), "Generativity versus stagnation: An elaboration of erikson's adult stage of human development", Journal of Adult Development 10 (1): 53–65
Bee, Helen; Boyd, Denise (March 2009). The Developing Child (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. ISBN 978-0-205-68593-6.
Miller, J. B., & Western Michigan University. (2000). The sense of self in women and men: Relations to critical world issues. Kalamazoo, Mich.: Western Michigan University.
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Concept Media, inc. (2000). Psychosocial development. Irvine, Calif: Concept Media.
Hoare, C. H. (2002). Erikson on development in adulthood: New insights from the unpublished papers. New York: Oxford University Press
Rowland, D., & Incrocci, L. (2008). Handbook of sexual and gender identity disorders. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons.
Parker, P. M., & Parker, J. N. (2004). Gender identity disorder: A medical dictionary, bibliography, and annotated research guide to Internet references. San Diego, CA: ICON Health Publications.
