GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION

Erikson's Eight Psychosocial Stages

Generativity vs Stagnation
Laura Lowery
Harrison College

GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION

Erik H. Erikson was an important psychologist that significantly changed the field of
child development. In the 1950s, Erikson advanced the Freudian approach in development.
(McLeod, S. A. (2013)). His view was that social development was a series of eight stages and
challenges that people have to overcome. Each challenge has an outcome thats either favorable
or unfavorable. The outcome extremely affects a persons personality. For instance, in a
favorable conclusion, the result can leave a positive feeling. With a positive outcome, people
find it easier to cope with challenges in life. With an unfavorable conclusion people could have a
disadvantaged for the future. (Feldman, R. (2010))
At the time Erikson was developing his eight psychosocial stages conventional social
standards called for young men and women to marry and produce children. The man was
expected to have a career or profession, whereas this was optional for the woman. Times have
clearly changed, as today marriage itself is viewed by many as an option, even if they are
engaged in a long-term relationship and have children. Homosexual marriage, which is now
debated by many was once seen as a psychological disorder. (Cory, D. W. (1951)) When Erikson
was developing his eight stages sexual intercourse in a marriage was considered the perfect
expression of satisfaction between a man and a woman. Today, the combination of sex, love, and
commitment (whether or not people are married) still resonates with many people as an ideal
kind of relationship. But at present other options like protected sex between consenting adults
prior to or without marriage are also acceptable to many people.
According to Eriksons seventh stage Generativity vs Stagnation people will begin their
middle adulthood lives at ages 30-65, the challenge is to finding meaning in career, family, and
community via productive work. Eriksons idea of generativity consist of what many see as oldfashioned ideas about conventional sex between married adults. In addition Erikson determined

GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION

that generativity in its widest sense also represents creative and productive activity through work.
Generativity is about much more than sex and reproduction, Eriksons concept embraces
a sense of caring for the future and caring for the next generation. He acknowledged that success
in life can be accomplished without having children but it does call for the ability to care for and
about others. Erikson realized that, though generativity is a leading theme in the middle years
(thirties, forties, and fifties), this kind of caring concern for future generations begins in early
adulthood the childbearing years and continues throughout the remainder of a persons life. In
this concept Erikson felt that generations were connected with one another, in its widest sense
generativity is a symbolic link to immortality through acts and works that will survive an
individual. Generativity is also associated with volunteerism, community involvement, and
voting in a positive way. Social institutions such as schools, churches, and government agencies
depend on the generative efforts of adults.
Stagnation, in opposition, is self-absorption, caring for no-one. Erikson sees a stagnant
person as one who ceases to be a productive member of society. Erikson believed that some
people try to be so generative that they no longer take the time for themselves to rest or relax,
this is when someone becomes stagnant. The person who has exceed their limit no longer
contributes well. A stagnant person is one who can been seen as being self-centered, has little or
no interest in productive work, or lacks involvement. (McLeod, S. A. (2013))
At the age of 31 according to Erikson I am just starting the seventh stage which is middle
adulthood. I feel that with middle adulthood it is hard to put a specific starting time to it, but I
believe it includes the time period during which we are actively involved in raising children. For
most people in our society, this would put it somewhere between the middle twenties and the late
fifties. The undertaking here is to develop the proper balance of generativity and stagnation. I

GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION

would have to agree that this stages challenge is to keep finding meaning in my career, family,
and community by means of productive work.
I believe that in order to accurately be caring and provide service in the world and our
intimate relationships, we must come from a healthy sense of self. Taking care of our self, mind,
body, and spirit can help us immensely in filling our cup in order to give to others. If we are
giving from an empty cup we put ourselves at risk to become resentful and angry and lay the
groundwork for a breakdown.
I personally know this to be true. With a 7 year old daughter and a husband to care for in
addition to running the household, working full-time and taking full-time college classes, I often
burn the candle at both ends, if I dont get adequate rest, exercise, nutrition, or express my honest
feelings to my loved ones, it builds up and I get irritable, impatient, and tired. When I do take
care of myself, taking care of all of that is not only manageable, it makes me happy!
At the age of 22 I was married and at the age of 25 became a first time mother.
Throughout the past nine years, I have discovered who I am, who my partner is and now helping
my daughter in the process of discovering who she is. I feel that Eriksons seventh stage and
challenges have proven to be spot on for me. To have the ability to balance everything in your
life just so at times seems impossible but we always do it. I feel that as I have grown older I
have learned to listen, learn and explore the advice and criticism that my family and friends have
given me. With this I am able to help prepare my daughter, as my mother and father prepared
me. As I continue my education I still have that passion for the career I have chosen, I still love
to go to work and help the people that I do. I have also personally learned that if you are in need
in any way people in the community will come to your side. My family and I experienced this
first hand when my daughter was born. I feel that it is a great thing to give back, even if its not

GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION
much you never know what will change someones life for the better. If you are successful at
this stage, you will have the capability of caring that will serve you through the rest of your life.

GENERATIVITY VS STAGNATION

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References

McLeod, S. A. (2013). Erik Erikson. Retrieved from

http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html
Cory, D. W. (1951). The homosexual in America: A subjective approach. New York: Greenberg.
Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/history.aspx
Feldman, R. (2010). Psychology and your life. McGraw Hill