Comparing Erikson's Life And Development

Erik Homberger Erikson was born on June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany. Erikson’s Jewish mother Karla Abrahamsen and biological father an unnamed Danish man abandoned him before he was born. His mother married Dr. Theodor Homberger who would raise Erikson as his son. The family moved to Karlsruhe in southern Germany. Erikson officially changed his named to Erik Erikson when he became an American citizen. No one truly knows why he chose the name, Erikson. Early in Erikson’s education instead of focusing on chemistry and biology he studied art and many different languages. Erikson never cared for formal schooling and decided not to attend college. By the time Erikson graduated high school he wanted to become an artist. During the early 1920’s, Erikson travel to Europe but due to lack of funds he found himself sleeping under bridges. After Erikson traveled around Europe for a year he decided to enroll in an art school back in Germany. Erikson studied art for several years and even began to teach art along with other subjects to American children who came to Vienna for Freudian training. Freudian training is the study of the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud. In 1933 Erikson …show more content…
The theory does not have a universal mechanism for crisis resolution. The strengths of Erikson 's theory is that it gives the ability to tie important psychosocial development across the entire lifespan together. I love the hope that Erikson’s stages bring. That we are never a finished product. That throughout our entire life we have the choice and ability to seek hope, willfulness, purpose, new competencies, loyal relationships, love, care, and wisdom. What a wonderful tool when working with people of all ages. Erikson gives an beautiful outline to focus on when helping people of all