Analysis Of Erikson's Eight Stages Of Development

T.O is an 85-year old female living with her son in Dallas, Texas. She was born in Cusco, Peru. She spent the early years of her childhood at her family’s hacinda, where her grandmother and mother taught her how to cook. Her father was an engineered and her mother a chef. She is the oldest of three children. At the age of twenty three she left Peru to attend the Cordon Bleu in Paris. After she graduated from the Cordon Bleu she returned to Peru and married. Over the next several years T.O had three sons. During this time a group of executives were interested in starting a cooking show in Peru. They approached T.O’s mother who was also a graduate of the Cordon Blue and a famous cheft with the idea. Her mother immediately indicated to

despair. During this stage the older adult is able to analyze their life. Erikson theorized, “a successful resolution of this stage allows for a sense of integrity and fulfillment for leading a successful life.” ( Parker p.11) T.O described herself as a happy woman, she said “ I am very grateful with God for my life, I had a very happy life, with some difficulties but I feel fulfilled.” Erikson also theorized that a successful resolution of this stage allowed the older adult to face death willingly without fear. T.O is a woman that is not afraid to die. During the interview she emphasize the faith she had in God and how she is ready to go to heaven whenever she is called. She states “ I am ready to die, everyday I thank God for my life but I also know that if he calls me to heaven I am ready to be with him.” I Think T.O is a 9 in Erikson’s ego integrity rating. She has contemplated her accomplishments and failures and come to the conclusion that she had lived a successful and meaningful life. She described her life as “very blessed, I had wonderful parents, kids, grandchildren and now I have a great grandchildren.” She also stated multiple times how she is not afraid of death and she is ready to die when God

I was able to interview a person that has successfully resolve Erikson’s last developmental stage. T.O had a sense of fulfillment in her life and that was very encouraging to see. The most significant point of the interview was when T.O was describing her career. It was possible to see in her eyes how proud she is of the legacy she had built for her family. She described her sons as “excellent cooks, my oldest son even has a restaurant in Peru, he named it after me.” The most difficult part of the interview was when she was talking about her childhood. She was very moved by the memory of her parents. She clearly loved them very