Week 12 Post 1

While reading Chapter 19, I found the sixth stage of Erikson’s development theory to be really interesting. According to Erikson after people achieve their true identity they begin to experience the issue of intimacy versus isolation (Berger, p. 525).  During this time young adults wish to find someone who will want to share their life together with them. As people grow up they feel that this type of commitment with intimacy is needed or else they will be at risk of being lonely. As a young adult, I feel like this could either be a sad or happy time for people. I think it can be a sad time for people who want to be in a committed relationship but have not yet found someone they would want to date. As I was thinking more about this particular stage in Erikson’s development theory, I began to think about my one friend who is single. Ever since we started college all she wanted was to have a relationship with someone. Sometimes, I feel like she wants a relationship too much that she will risk being with the wrong person. Despite me telling her over and over that it’s not her fault that she hasn’t found the right guy, she still feels like something is wrong with her. I even try to tell her that she shouldn’t be looking for a relationship because relationships are things that develop on their own overtime. On the other hand, I think this could possibly be a happy time for people who are in strong relationships. I know quite a few people who have either gotten engaged or have stayed in committed relationships during this stage of life. Ultimately, I believe that this stage in life is whatever someone makes it out to be. It’s up to a person to decide how they are going to respond to either being in a relationship or to being single.