I
disagree with Sheehy’s notion that “crises,” under the Erikson definition, are “inner
impulses.” I don’t believe that the major life stages that Sheehy describes are
at all related to our biological makeup, but are rather imposed entirely by the
society in which we live. To back up my claim, I will use myself as an example.
Personally,
“ready or not” is a phrase that perfectly encapsulates my initial thought of
college. At the end of high school, some major change was going to happen,
whether it be college, or full-time employment. Those were the options I was
presented with, whether I was ready or not to take either one. I chose college
because I thought it could benefit me more in the long term. However, my choice
that I was going to attend college meant in no terms that I thought I was ready
to attend college. In fact, in my head, I didn’t believe I was ready up until I
was actually here, and I still don’t believe I am to some degree.
I know
myself better than anyone. I was never going to be “ready” for college. I am
here now. I have developed and changed in many different ways since I have been
in college. One could argue that I have underwent, or am still currently
undergoing, one of Sheehy’s “crises.” But to think that such a change or
development was internally motivated is asinine. If I were still at home right
now, there is no doubt in my mind that I would still be the same person that I
was before I left. I’ve only adapted because an external force (moving to
college) has pushed me to adapt.
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