Learning About Development Process and Understanding the Future

LEARNING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE FUTURE
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Learning about development process and understanding the future
(Student’s name)
(Institution’s Name)

LEARNING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING THE FUTURE
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Learning about development process and understanding the future
Introduction
The process of human development is an accumulation of emotional, personal, and
physical aspects. The experience obtained from these life aspects tends to affect each consecutive
developmental stage. However, such human life development stages tend to impact and
influenced by the environment, experiences, and exposures an individual subjects, too, such as
physical, cultural/social, environmental, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional changes (Newman
& Newman, 2014). The objective of the assignment enables me to learn about my developmental
process (and the challenges) to understand my future clients.
Introduction to My Family
1.Late Grandmother
2.Late Father
3.Mother
4.Myself
5.Two (2) sisters and two (2) brothers
6.Husband
7.Two (2) sons
Background information
Profile

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I am currently 61 years old with two sons aged 29 years and 27 years, respectively. During
my younger days, I used to live with my father, mother, grandmother, and siblings (two sisters
and two brothers). The family anchored on love and normal relationship where there was not
much physical attention since my parents were busy. I lost my father (through demise) when I
was 51 years. His death affected me negatively since we had a good connection. I still experience
extended bereavement attachment even though it is approximately ten years after his death. My
grandmother was over-protective, especially during my childhood.
Description and Appraisal of life experiences
Adolescence to Adulthood
I am the eldest in a family of five. My father was the sole family breadwinner while my
mother was a housewife. In the traditional Asian family setup, my grandmother's decisions
overrode my mother's decisions. In this case, there were inherent conflicts between my mother
and grandmother when making decisions on domestic matters and children's upbringing. For
instance, I used to receive my school pocket money from my grandma until I attained 18 years of
age. My mother took over decision-making responsibilities after my grandma's health
deteriorated. Such a family environment created a dilemma on to whom we are supposed to side
with on domestic matters. There was a bit of confusion, especially when my grandma and mother
got involved in the argument regarding issues that affect us directly.
I was socialized to behave in my gender role since my tender age. Playing with boys was
the cause of my reprimanding. It explains my poor performance in outdoor sports. However, my
performance during the upper secondary to the college level was fairly well. Involvement in
science disciplines made us as the 'elite students' boosting our self-esteem. Besides, the election

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into the science class perceived superior to joining an Art and social studies class. Though at
times, I secretly felt that I loved certain art subjects such as literature.
My parents stressed the importance of succeeding in our exams and life in general. Failure
in exams always met with negative reactions and responses. Such efforts are a reflection during
my career life. I have performed well in both the banking and medical social sector. However,
such a success is an attribution to the career development courses I undertook.
Marriage and Family
I got married at 25 years old and established a dual-income family achieving autonomy
and self-sufficiency. As such, I had to seek assistance from a maid, and my parents only acted as
a formal and fun-seeking grandparent role when caring for their children. Currently, my children
have moved out, and my mother is in late adulthood. I have to provide emotional support to my
husband, who is more senior than I. There is also the problem of communication as I try to cook
for my son, who feels he does not want to receive care like a kid. It seems that they have become
accustomed to my partial absence in their life during their adolescence since I was busy working,
and their remarks elicit a feeling of guilt. However, it seems that it is the right time to look into
new goals and values and to realign my life.
Significant Life Experiences
Identity Development (Erik Erikson theory of psychosocial development)
Erik Erikson developed a theoretical framework to explain the nature of psychosocial
development that an individual undergoes in different stages of psychosocial development while
experiencing psychosocial crises such as role or identity confusion (Dennis & John, 2009).
Similar to Erikson's theory, I have undergone different stages of psychosocial development,