In this paper, I will discuss a challenge I’m currently facing in life in accordance to Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages. Scholars like Erik Erikson have attempted to provide the theoretical basis of different human development stages. According to Erikson (2013), social interaction is the leading determinant of human behavior and the advancement of personality. Erikson (1959) posits that this process has eight stages. According to his theory, humans are expected to resolve their problems and are thus given a window through which they have to resolve their crises. The results, irrespective of whether they are successful or not are carried forward to the next stage, and they form the foundation for crisis resolution in that stage. People develop in accordance to a preset genetic sequence.
At stage one (below 18 months), a child trusts the environment to provide his physical and social needs, but in the second stage (2-3 years), the child learns he has control over the environment. In stage three (3-5 years), the child begins to explore the environment. Stage four (6-11 years) gives children the opportunity to compares their actions with others. Stage five (12-18 years) provides them with an opportunity to socialize with others as well as having internal thoughts and desires. In stage six (19-40 years), people begin to nurture relationships as well as long term commitments. By the time they reach stage seven (40-65 years), they begin to develop interest in guiding the development of the next generation. At the eighth and final stage (65 years an above), people tend to accept life as it was lived and the significance of people as well as relationships they developed they had in their lifespan. I will concentrate on the sixth stage because this is where I fall.
According to Erikson (2013), at stage six, the basic conflict is intimacy versus isolation. In this stage, young adults seek to form long-lasting intimate relationships. Success at this stage leads to solid relationships. On the contrary, isolation and loneliness take center stage in case of failure. I’m 21 years and I fall at this stage. Currently, I’m having challenges while I search for my preferred life time partner. Searching for the ‘perfect’ love partner has never been easy. It is characterized by heartbreaks and emotional disturbances.
In my current relationship, I’ve suffered emotional disturbances on a number of occasions. While in an intimate relationship, we expect that everything will run smoothly and that love will prevail in all circumstances. We expect that those whom will love will be love us in equal measures and that they will remain committed, as well as be trustworthy. However, in my current relationship, I’ve come to realize that this is not always true. In fact, intimate relationships are full of challenges, and if one is not strong, he or she is likely to end up becoming frustrated, feeling lonely or isolated in accordance to Erikson’s theory. On a number of occasions, my better half has let me down by doing things that are against my expectations.
However, I have come to learn that love is always sincere and can never be faked. I’ve realized that at times, people look for love far away and yet sincere love is awaiting for them at their doorsteps. Therefore, having a sober mind and not expecting so much, but allowing love to prevail is the greatest lesson I’ve realized so far in my quest for my significant other. Although I have felt isolated and lonely on a number of occasions, I’ve I have put on a bright face because I have enough time to succeed before Erikson’s stage six elapses.
Reference
Erikson, E. (1959). Identity and the Life Cycle. New York: International Universities Press.
