Coming of Age In this paper I will give you an overview of 2 interviews that conducted with two adults on their experiences of 'coming of age'. The interviews that I conducted with them was based on their experiences during their adolescent years of becoming the adult they are today. I will compare the two interviewee’s experiences and relate them to one another. I will also relate their experience to Erikson’s Theory. The first person I interviewed was Brad Young. He is a 33 year old Caucasian male. I asked Brad “how old were you when you feel you became an adult”. Brad told me “I was 25, I found out my girlfriend was pregnant, so it then that I realized I need to buy a house and move out of my parent’s home.” I then clarified with Brad that it was not a gradual process for him then? He told me “kind of, but becoming a father made me grow up real fast.” I asked Brad how he identifies his believes and values today? He told me “I get most of them form my parents, but someone them I get from my wife’s family as well. We have blended our two families into one.” I then asked Brad if he is comfortable with the adult that he has become. Brad told me “Yes, I have job that pays the bills. I also have a wife and a kid that loves me, I can’t complain.

The next person I interviewed was Joanna Dailey. Joanna is a 31 year old Caucasian woman. I asked Joanna how she was when she became an adult. She told me “I would have to say 22 years old. I had just complete college, got married and bought a house.” I asked Joanna if she felt it was a gradual process or sudden process. She told me “I feel it was a gradual process because I was preparing for it my entire life.” I asked Joanna how she identifies her believes and values today? She told me “I get my values and believes from my family. I have a very large and close family. They have guided me and help me though so much of my life.” I then asked Joanna if she is comfortable with the person she has become today. She told me “yes, I feel that I’m a strong role model for my daughters just as my mother was for me.”

Some similarities that I observed between the two interviewees are that they both were about the same age when they felt they became adults. Yes one was 22 and the other was 25 but would still say that there were similar in age. Another similarity that I found was that they both embraced becoming an adult and the both are satisfied with their lives.

One difference I found between the two interviews was the Joanna felt it was a gradual process to becoming an adult and even stated that “I was preparing for it my entire life”. I find that to be a very bold statement. In comparison Brad felt that it was very sudden for him when he became an adult. I have to wonder if this just may be the difference between male and females.

Erikson's theory is a powerful theory. He feels that we develop in eight different stages and in order to move from one state to the next you have to be able complete the previous stage. Erikson's theory, he feels that we are individual and we become who we are form what we learn, what we see or what is taught to us and not from genetics. Erikson believed that Life is a series of lessons and challenges which help us to grow. I see from my interview with Joanna it is very much true to her as she talked about how much her family has shown her and made her the woman she is today.