Question

Please pick one of the characters to discuss. The characters have their own set of questions to answer for the discussion. The 4th question focuses on the relationship with Chelsea and her father.

Cast:
Ethel Thayer, played by Katherine Hepburn

Norman Thayer, Sr., played by Henry Fonda

Chelsea Thayer Wayne, played by Jane Fonda

Billy Ray, played by Doug McKeon

Bill Ray, played by Dabney Coleman

1. The character Billy Ray is in his adolescence.

A. According to Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, what stage is he in?

B. What crisis is he trying to resolve? Does he resolve the crisis successfully?

C. How do his views about “old people” change throughout the film? What events contribute to him changing his views or not changing his views about “old people?”

D. Why do you think he tries to act so tough in the beginning?

2. Ethel Thayer is in the stage of late adulthood.

A. According to Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, what stage is she in?

B. What crisis is she trying to resolve? Does she resolve the crisis successfully?

C. If she were to do a life review, what would she say about how she lived her life?

D. What is Ethel’s attitude towards death? Is she accepting, fearful, etc.?

3. Norman Thayer, Sr. is in the stage of late adulthood.

A. According to Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, what stage is he in?

B. What crisis is he trying to resolve? Does he resolve the crisis successfully?

C. If he was to do a life review, what would he say about how he lived his life?

D. What is Norman’s attitude towards death? Is he accepting, fearful, etc.?

4. Chelsea Thayer is in middle adulthood.

A. According to Erik Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, what stage is she in?

B. What crisis is she trying to resolve? Does she resolve the crisis successfully?

C. If she was to do a life review, what would she say about how she has lived her life so far?

D. What issues/concerns does she have related to the aging of her parents? How does she accept their aging?

5. The relationship between Chelsea and her father has been strained over the years.

A. What does Chelsea identify as the root cause of this strain?

B. What does her father identify as the root cause of this strain?

C. Are they able to repair their relationship in the end? What events or attitudes contributed to repairing their relationship or keeping it strained?

D. What position does this put Ethel in, who is the mother of Chelsea and wife of Norman? How does she avoid taking sides or try to repair their relationship?    

Answer 1

1)a.Stage 5: Adolescence: Identity vs. Role Confusion

The prominent term “identity crisis” comes from this period of development. During this stage, adolescents’ main goal is to answer the question “Who am I?” They may try different personas to determine which roles fit them best.

• Identity: To succeed in this stage, adolescents need to establish a coherent sense of self. They will need to determine their priorities in life (family, academic success, etc.). Then they will need to set goals for their adult selves based on those values.
• Role confusion: Some adolescents may have a weak sense of self. They may struggle to break away from the person their parents or peers expect them to be. Without a consistent identity, they may grow confused about what they truly want for the future.

b.. Erik Erikson and Self-Identity. ... Erikson used the term "crisis" to describe a series of internal conflicts that are linked to developmental stages. According to Erikson's theory, the way a person resolves the crisis will determine their personal identity and future development.

c. Many media portrayals of the elderly imitate negative cultural attitudes toward aging. In society tends to praise youth, associating it with beauty and sexuality. In comedies, the elderly are often associated with irritability or hostility. Rarely do the roles of older people convey the fullness of life experienced by seniors—as employees, lovers, or the many roles they have in real life.

One obstacle to society’s fuller understanding of aging is that people rarely understand it until they reach old age themselves. As opposed to childhood, for instance, which we can all look back on. Therefore, legends and assumptions about the elderly and aging are common. Many stereotypes exist surrounding the realities of being an older adult. While individuals often encounter stereotypes associated with race and gender and are thus more likely to think critically about them, many people accept age stereotypes without question. Each culture has a certain set of expectations and assumptions about aging, all of which are part of our socialization.

While the landmarks of maturing into adulthood are a source of satisfaction, signs of natural aging can be cause for shame or mortification. Some people try to fight off the appearance of aging with cosmetic surgery. Although many seniors report that their lives are more satisfying than ever, and their self-esteem is stronger than when they were young, they are still subject to cultural attitudes that make them feel invisible and devalued.

d)

• Mask insecuritis
• . Think failure isn't an option.
• Self-worth depends on how others see you.
• Suppress your emotions.
• Deny your pain.
• Think you can do everything.
• Try to control other people.
• Build Mental Strength