Assignment Task:
175 words each
Post 1:
For this discussion, I chose Erikson's fifth stage of development, Identity vs. Role Confusion, which typically happens during the teenage years around ages 12 to 18. The central challenge of this stage is figuring out "Who am I?" and forming a strong sense of self versus feeling unsure or lost about one's place in the world.
A positive outcome happens when a young person has the chance to explore different interests, values, and possible futures and is supported in the process. Encouragement from family, teachers, and friends can help them feel confident in their choices and comfortable committing to an identity that feels right for them.
On the other hand, when there is little support or room to explore, a teen may feel pressured to accept an identity that does not fit or may struggle with ongoing confusion about who they are. Strict expectations, lack of guidance, or negative peer pressure can all get in the way of healthy identity development.
An example of this is a friend I had in high school who was passionate about art but came from a family that pushed her toward a medical career. She spent years feeling conflicted, unsure if she should follow her interests or meet her family's expectations. Eventually, with encouragement from an art teacher, she decided to pursue graphic design in college. This shift reflects a positive resolution of the identity crisis because she was able to discover who she truly wanted to be and take steps toward it. Need Assignment Help?
Post 2:
One of Erikson's psychosocial stages that resonates deeply with me is Identity vs. Role Confusion, typically experienced during adolescence. This stage involves the challenge of forming a coherent sense of self while navigating social pressures, emotional upheaval, and shifting relationships (Feist et al., 2021). A successful resolution leads to a stable identity and direction in life, while failure can result in confusion, isolation, and a fragmented sense of self.
In my own adolescence, I faced profound emotional disruption. After years in foster care, my mother reentered my life, only to ask me to leave at age 15 in favor of her new relationship. That rejection shattered my sense of belonging. Though I had been described as sweet, helpful, and intelligent, the pain I carried was invisible to most. At school, I was bullied for being a foster child, and something inside me snapped. I abandoned the "good boy" identity and sought respect through fear and violence. I got what I thought I wanted, but I also lost myself.
Around age 20, I began to question who I had become. Was I a bad boy trying to be good, or a good boy trying to be bad? That internal conflict marked the heart of Erikson's stage. I felt alone, ashamed, and spiritually broken. Yet through prayer and reflection, I believe God placed people in my path, angels in a sense, who helped me realign with my true self. That journey toward healing and self-understanding continues to shape my identity today, especially as a parent, mentor, and psychology student.
Erikson's theory helped me recognize that identity formation is not a single moment, but an ongoing process. My experience reflects both the pain of role confusion and the power of resilience. It reminds me that even fractured beginnings can lead to purposeful lives.