Erickson Development Stage Analysis

The sixth Erickson development stage discussed is Intimacy vs Isolation. This stage begins at twenty-one through thirty-nine years old. Individuals become concerned with finding a life partner so the fear of spending their lives alone for the duration. Young adults are most vulnerable and tend to need to experience multiple relationships before finding their true life partner. Frequent break-ups can occur, leaving people with severe loneliness. It can be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride for those who interact or are intimate with a lot of people in this phase of their lives. Not everyone is a success story and find that person for a long standing relationship. There are some individuals that prefer to stay single and only have themselves
The individuals who live during this stage are normally retirees. It is important for these individuals to feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that they have successfully completed their “job responsibility”, providing for their family as expected. Maybe they were able to accomplish something significant during their younger years, built a business, created a product, the list can go on and on. This is the time where individuals reflect on their life and feel content, as they believe that they have lived their life to the fullest. Although, some may wish they would have done some things different or possibly never accomplished what they felt was significant leaving them with a sense of despair. This elder is currently in this final developmental stage. She however, appears to be very content with her life and the achievements she has accomplished. The elder completed her college education, was successful at her job, is a wonderful wife, mother, and person. When I asked her if she had any regrets, her only response was to save more money. The elder discussed her beliefs on the aging process and said she no longer is scared of the aging process or death. The elder knows that aging and death is inevitable and it’s all a part of God’s plan. She wishes to be cremated and spread across Snaptail Lake. When asked if she would change anything about her life she responded with, ‘I am perfectly happy with where I am in life and who I am as a person. Of course I’ve made mistakes but I wouldn’t be who I am today without all the bumps in the road.” The elder is definitely progressing in a positive manner in her final Erickson developmental