Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development

Butterfly607

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development include this fifth stage:

"The fifth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development is identity vs. role confusion, and it occurs during adolescence, from about 12-18 years. During this stage, adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity, through an intense exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals."

I feel like I missed this stage, or it was severely delayed until after I was in my mid-20s. Did anyone else who was a born-in-JW also miss this stage of personal development or get there very late? I'm guessing the pressure to conform to the religion, the fear or divine mortal retribution, and the threat of public shaming for personal expression is what kept me from developing a true identity until I was old enough to live on my own.

Sea Breeze

Did anyone else who was a born-in-JW also miss this stage of personal development

I know I did. What was the use in exploring it? Any other position would result in being abandoned by your family. Unless you are willing to face up to this reality and fiend for yourself at age 14, you just conform.

If you can't do that, drugs and alcohol are usually next on the list of options for JW kids.

Vidiot

Sea Breeze - "What was the use in exploring it? Any other position would result in being abandoned by your family. Unless you are willing to face up to this reality and fiend for yourself at age 14, you just conform."

Not to mention that the vast majority of authoritarian ideologies have pretty much zero confidence in any individual's ability to develop positive values, beliefs, and goals without the iron rod of religious discipline to guide it.

blondie

I admit that I had an unusually hard time as a teenager having a pedophile father, an alcoholic and a verbally and emotionally abusive mother, and then the isolation imposed on me through the WT dictates/dogma.

But step by step I dealt with those issues, found a way to get free and grow and learn about myself. The first two clouded over the 3rd one, so when the cloud started to lift, I realized that I had one more thing to battle. Because I succeeded handling the first 2, I was confident that I would the third. It was not an overnight thing, but an accumulation of little steps in the right direction.

I realized that I was not doomed, with no hope of changing my situation.

Blondie

Spiral

I think all people who grow up in controlling religions or ideologies are deprived of experiencing this stage, or are greatly harassed by their parents. I certainly did, although as an adult I tried to play "catch up".

This is one of the things I hated about being a JW, the peer pressure to conform to such a narrow behavioral model. As a parent, I hated it even more. This is one of the reasons we are "out" as a family. Our son didn't want to stay in, and we didn't see the need to force him. And looking at it all through his eyes made us hate going to the meetings.

road to nowhere

Some of it you cant get back PERIOD. my buddies went into army, i 4F'ed. Didnt get a good job, was too poor to pioneer, too inhibited to take off after hippie chicks

All these years later i am still trying to grow up, have a feeling if i inferiority and trying to be accepted. If wife would admit it she is same, but she was not born in

Xanthippe

from about 12-18 years. During this stage, adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity, through an intense exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals

I remember this stage in my daughter, obsessed with cult tv programs, cult films, heroes, books and ideas. So much energy and enthusiasm given over to just trying out stuff to see if she liked it, if it felt right for her.

Very true, Butterfly607, whenever are born in JWs allowed to explore their likes and dislikes in that way?

I do think I missed this stage and I've been slowly catching up but I'm not there yet. Very helpful thanks.

Pete Zahut

Growing up JW you identify and define yourself by the religion first and foremost. All the blanks are filled in...no need to look elsewhere.

days of future passed

I find it difficult in areas to be "myself" Growing up as a Jw, you were taught to look to others for the "right" thing to do. And if I did have a stray thought about what "should" be done, I'd always tell myself "well they must know what to do better than me"

I did experience when I was in my 30's, a real desire to dress differently and tint my hair wild colors and that was because I did leave the truth for a few years (although it didn't leave me) I was too good about conforming tho and didn't really do anything. I realized that you can't make the same mistakes that teenagers do when you're an adult, because the consequences are greater.

Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development - did you miss a stage?