Tim’s analogy points out a number of issues surrounding his development as a child. As a seven-year-old child, Tim can be said to be struggling to master the “industry versus inferiority” stage of development. At this stage, the major tenets of technology are established. The main query that guides an individual at this stage is how or she can be better at what he or she is doing (Ashford, LeCroy & Williams, 2017). The basic virtue tested at this stage is competence. The competence manifests itself in the expanded social world that a child must contend with in an effort to establish a sense of pride in individual abilities. In Tim’s case, he had a negative self-concept which is observed in his interaction with other children. Due to his troubled background, Tim viewed himself as less competent as compared to others. With such a low self-concept and feeling of inadequacy, Tim has pent up anger that sees him seek to confront others on the slightest provocation.
The lack of self-confidence and poor social attitudes indicate that Tim is yet to master Erikson’s “industry versus inferiority” stage. He seems to view others in a bad light due to the poor socialization skills that have been brought about by missing out from adequate interaction with his parents. With an alcoholic father who has constant run-ins with the law, Tim has had an unstable childhood characterized by his mother having less time devoted to him due to her busy schedule. With lack of affirmation from his parents on his abilities and accomplishments, Tim has a very poor self-perception that only provides room for anger and impulsive behaviour (Ashford, LeCroy & Williams, 2017). To remedy this situation, teachers and parents ought to encourage Tim to participate in various activities that he is good at. They should also praise his accomplishments however little, while at the same time dissuading from impulsive behavior when relating with his peers. The praise should not be excessive as it may make him arrogant. In areas where he is less competent, teachers and parents should offer assistance and advice instead of being critical. With the execution of the said actions, Tim will grow a sense of industry.
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According to the Erikson’s model, Tim has been met by a crisis associated with the “initiative versus guilt” developmental stage. This because Tim often apologizes for wrongs he has committed. The wrongs committed are subject to his quest to explore his immediate environment. As he explores his abilities, he ends up in fault, which he takes in his stride. The feelings of guilt that he experiences from time to time may hinder his initiative in understanding his environment. He is not able to neither lead his peers nor feel he can do so due to self-doubt and feelings of guilt. Tim, however, has not mastered the “autonomy versus shame and doubt” stage. He lacks control over choices he makes. This is observed with his erratic behavior towards others who may opt to tell him what to do. He is insecure and always in self-doubt, which translates to him being angry at others.
Divorce affects children in a major way. For a seven-year-old child, divorce causes inferiority, which makes he or she feel inadequate in comparison to his peers. Lacking one of the parents may make the child think lowly of himself; however, for a three-year-old child, the divorce may create a sense of guilt. The child may feel sad for being one of the reasons for the split between the parents. The differences are associated with the developmental stages of the two children. For the seven-year-old, he or she has not yet mastered industry over inferiority while the latter has not fully developed to embrace initiative instead of guilt (Ashford, LeCroy & Williams, 2017). To ensure that the children embrace the divorce positively, that must be made to understand that they are not part of the problem. The parents should also focus on creating time for the children despite separating. This will go a long way in ensuring the young ones understand that they are still loved by both parents.
References
Ashford, J.B., LeCroy, C.W., & Williams, L. R. (2017). Human Behavior in the Social
Environment: A Multidimensional Perspective. 6th Ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole
