Autonomy vs.

Shame and Doubt

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Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

HD-300 Early Childhood Themes and Life Cycle
Spring II 2014
Sharon Davisson
Pacific Oaks College
March 14, 2014

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Eriksons second stage Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt takes place between the ages of
approximately 18 months to two or three. During this period of development, children start to
gain a greater sense of personal control. Potty training, toy preferences, clothing selection and
food choices all serve as important events that allow children to establish a stronger sense of selfcontrol. As infant begin to realize that she is a separate person from their mother, they develop a
sense of their own desire and abilities. I was able to notice this because there were times where
my mother would feed me a certain food that I would not like so I would not eat. If I were to
have not begun to develop an idea of my preferences of food then I would not be feeling a sense
of autonomy. The push for autonomy is enhanced by muscular maturation as toddlers try to use
their developing muscles to walk, climb, hop and jump and to explore the environment.
One of the first encounters that I had of autonomy was when I began to walk. I would
follow my mother wherever she would go, even to the restroom. Erik Erikson talks about how,
For if denied the gradual and well-guided experience of the autonomy of free choice, the child
will turn against himself all his urge to discriminate and to manipulate. (252) When I was young
I was told by my mother that I sometimes would cry just to get her attention or just to have her
near me. If she did not some near me I would cry and cry nonstop until she came to me. I know
see that this was some forth of manipulation from my part to my mother. With me crying I knew
that my mother would come to me, so now I see that as manipulating my mother. I feel that in
some way this was a way of me becoming an interdependent person. My parents would be scare
to let me do new things; they would do things for me. If a toddlers efforts to do things on their
own were frustrated by over-protective caregivers, then they may not have many opportunities to
develop autonomy. In addition Erikson stated that, too much shaming does not lead to genuinepropriety but to a secret determination to try to get away with things, unseen. (252) I have

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became aware of this statement that Erikson makes because I have seen it vivid in my nephew
actions. He was always given everything he wants; he is rewarded for good behavior. So now
each time that he does good he expects a reward and when not given he will do a tantrum and
eventually he ends up getting it. Joan Erikson goes on further explaining how it is that,
deprivation also induces regular explosions of kinesthetic energy and great hunger for tactile
and visual satisfaction. (85) If a child is not meeting his basic needs he will eventually end up
missing a very important part of his development. For instance in my case because my parents
were overprotective of me when I was younger I was always dependent of them and continue to
be, it is hard for me to take the initiative on things, I am considered a follower. I am afraid to fail
when I try new things because I am not used to failure. Finally Erikson makes a final statement
that I believe sums up the stage of autonomy vs. shame and doubt. His statement is that, This
stage becomes decisive for ratio of love and hate. (254) This stage is what would guide a child
as to what he or likes or dislikes.

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References
Erikson, Erik H. (1985). Childhood and Society. W.W. Norton and Company. New York,
London. 247-249.
Erikson, Joan M. (1991). Wisdom and the Senses. W.W. Norton and Company. New York,
London. 81-85.