We go through stages of life as humans. Our careers and jobs evolve. Our friendships and the people we spend our time with change. Our appearance, the way we care for ourselves, and our physical health all change. Our personal development journeys are constantly rife with ups and downs. When people hit adulthood, they have to look after a number of affairs. Jobs, family, parents, social circles, etc. These are pivotal times of change and transformation. This phase of life can provide opportunities for individuals to feel a sense of belonging and the need to contribute to the next generation. What happens when a person does not feel a sense of belonging and feels stuck instead? Erik Erikson’s eight-stage model of the psychosocial development of personality tries to explain this conflict.
Erik Erikson developed an eight-stage approach to understanding psychosocial development in children. According to his theory, every individual goes through a set of stages. At each stage, a person faces a conflict. Upon successfully tackling the conflict, there is an outcome that forms the basis for the next stage. The mastery helps the child develop into a healthy adult. Here is an illustration of the stages that appear before stage seven.
What does it mean to be generative? It refers to the ability to create, generate, and invent. It means that people are productive enough to pass down their knowledge from one generation to the next. It also means that people can come up with novel solutions to challenges. They can generate creative possibilities.
Many people wish to leave a legacy behind them. At this stage in life, people have been through several experiences. Caring for others and reaching your full potential is at the heart of many of these experiences. Generativity is the belief that, as adults, we have a responsibility to pass on these experiences.
For some individuals, it can mean passing on wisdom to the next generation. For others, it can be guiding the next generation through mentoring. The main theme that runs through this stage of adulthood is that people wish to see change; they want to be productive and perform well with passion. They want to have a purpose in their lives. In simple words, they want to make the world a better place.
Bringing about change is not a cakewalk. Not always, however, people can make a difference. This can lead to stagnation. Stagnation can occur when a person does not engage in generative activities. Here are some key characteristics of stagnation.
Unable to contribute to society helpfully.
Fear of change or a failure to make positive changes.
A lack of self-awareness or role confusion.
Identity crises, such as midlife crises, can lead to feelings of being stuck.
Stagnation is on the other side of generativity, so the two are opposed. Stagnation is defined as a sluggish feeling with a lack of energy and enthusiasm. Stagnant people have low energy and are less involved in both communal and individual affairs.
Some elements of stagnation and self-absorption are necessary, and truly creative people must sometimes remain dormant and absorbed with themselves to eventually create new growth.
The distinction between generativity and stagnation is that while generativity refers to an individual making their impression and achieving goals related to their stage of adulthood, stagnation refers to a lack of ambitions and a tendency to become stuck in one place.
To feel more generative and reduce feelings of stagnation, here are some steps:
Volunteer or community participation − Engagement in some community work helps one feel productive and involved. Look for opportunities to get involved in your community. Participate in community projects, volunteer for an organization, or become involved in local activism.
Accountability − Look for new ways to take on new tasks and roles. Take on a large project at work or explore ways to enhance a specific aspect of your household.
Learn something new − Learning a new skill or a hobby reduces the feeling of being stuck. When you are feeling stuck, look for things that will inspire you. You can then use these sources to boost your motivation to try new things.
Generativity vs. Stagnation is one of Erikson's stages of personality development, and it is often regarded as the most influential and significant, owing to all of the important events that typically occur during this stage. The adult's ability to care for another person is referred to as generativity at this stage. Parenting is the most important event during this stage. Is the adult capable of caring for and guiding the next generation? Generativity encompasses more than just having children. Every adult must provide for and support the next generation. Getting involved in your community, learning new skills, or starting a new hobby are all ways to achieve more fulfilment in your life. Taking actions like these can help you feel better later in life.
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