Life Cycle Case

Life Cycle

Erin Bagwell

BSHS/406

July 20, 2015

Lateefah Alleyne

Life Cycle

The human life cycle is a series of stages a human being goes starting with infancy up to adulthood, where an individual learns skills and grows to make decisions for themselves. There are about nine to twelve stages in the life cycle (McGoldrick, Carter,  & Garcia-Preto, 2011). “These stages include pre-birth and childbirth, as the first stages of the life cycle” (McGoldrick, Carter,  & Garcia-Preto, 2011). Infancy ranges from childbirth up to one-year-old. After passing the infant stage, you start the early child stage, ages ranging from one to three years old. Next is the middle childhood stage, which is ages ranging from three to six years old. Next is the late childhood stage, which is ages ranging six years old to twelve years old. Next is teenage years where become an adolescent, which is ages ranging thirteen to seventeen years old. Once you turn eighteen years old, you are considered to be an adult.

These stages of the life cycle every individual will go through during their lifetime. Self-determination is a trait that starts at birth. Throughout the first eighteen months, a child will develop optimism, trust, confidence, and security providing they are properly cared for by their parents (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011). If a child does not have trust in his or her parents then they become insecurity, feel unimportant, and most likely become wary when it comes to trusting others in their future. This all goes along with feeling confident, as well as having trust for others and having the ability to make their decisions. Children learn how to be self-determined in their early years of life by learning how to making positive choices for themselves.

This stage is called autonomy versus shame, and this starts as early as the age of eighteen months up to about five years old. Individuals have a chance to build self-esteem and autonomy as they learn new life skills and the difference between right and wrong (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011). If a child is well cared for, they will learn how to carry themselves with confidence. This age is when children start to explore the word why and start to experiment with what adults believe in. Your involvement in your child’s life during this stage is imperative for them to learn how to resolve problems, such as struggling with social role identification. During this time, it can be overwhelming and pressuring at times.

Industry versus inferiority is a stage in life that takes place during ages six to twelve years old. Children learn new skills and start to have an understanding of developing a sense of industry. This stage is also about social development where they learn the basic needs to get them through each stage of the life cycle. If a child experiences unanswered questions, then they might feel like they are a failure or feel weak among their peers. These children are known to have some issues with conditions of capability and self-esteem during their entire life cycle.