Most important stage
The most important stage in my life has been my adolescent stage. This is the stage that I discovered who I really am. Why I was 12, I was quite shy and had a hard time interacting with other children. However, as I grew older, I found a group that I fit in. It is at this stage that I discovered my skills. I started playing basketball when I was thirteen years, and I have grown to love the game. Basketball enhances my social interaction, and currently, I am quite extroverted. I also grew an interest in computer games, and this is still one of my hobbies. Being an adolescent was not easy. I was very emotional at first. Most of the time, I was either too sad, too happy, or too angry. Small things used to anger or hurt me very fast. Most were the times I was angry with my parents since they said no every time I requested to spend at my friends’ home. However, with time, I came to realize that they were just concerned. I came to accept that in life, we will not always get what we want. Therefore, I came to terms with negative answers, and I was even able to manage my emotions. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
It was in my adolescent stage that I discovered my sense of style. I grew a big interest in streetwear brands. I am a big fan of Nike products now. Looking good boosted my ego, and I became quite conscious with my look in that up to date, I feel like my self-esteem reduces when I do not look good. I also grew an interest in hip hop music. It was at this stage that I discovered my likes, my type of friends, the type of people I was attracted to, and the activities I like doing. One challenge I was having is deciding what I wanted to be in life. My parents wanted me to be a doctor. Choosing a career path was, therefore, quite confusing for me because I had a huge interest in technology, and I still wanted to become a basket ballplayer. I also did not want to disappoint my parents.
Erikson’s stages of development?
I can relate my adolescent stage with Erikson’s stages of development, stage 5. This stage occurs from 12 to 18 years. In this stage, children are usually trying to find their identity, explore their independence, and find out where they fit in the social status. According to Erickson, there is usually a lot of conflict in this stage as adolescents try to figure out what they like and what they don’t. Moreover, adolescents face a lot of pressure from society, and this pressure shapes them. I can relate to this because, as I grew up, it took time before I found a group of friends that I fit in. Everyone in high school wants to belong in the popular group, but I found that I did not belong in that group.
Erikson states that adolescents are usually confused while developing their identity, especially choosing the career paths as parents feel the children are not in a position to make the right decisions for themselves. I can relate to this because my parents did not feel like I was capable of making my own decisions. They limited my freedom because they thought I was going to indulge myself in the wrong group. There are many times my mum warned me about associating with friends who do marijuana. Also, they felt I was incapable of picking the ideal career path.
Erickson helps me understand why I tried so many activities before I settled into my hobbies. I once tried to play football but got really injured. I also have tried to play the piano like my friends too, and somehow I just couldn’t get it right. All these were my efforts of getting to find my identity. I also understand why I was very emotional at first, but as I grew older, I was able to manage my emotions.
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