ating and implementing effective treatment programs for this population.
Human Development of Young Men Aged between 18 and 40
The human development issues associated with young men aged between 18 and 40 will be addressed by using three prominent developmental theories: Erik Erikson's eight stages of psychosocial development, Daniel Levinson's five eras and Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Psychosocial Development
Due to the age range of the subjects discussed in the paperù18 to 40, only three of Erikson's eight stages of development are applicable. Stage five, the adolescence period, extends from puberty to 18 or 20 years of age. During this period, young men grapple with the challenges of discovering their own identities and their roles in society. In order to make a successful transition into mainstream society, young men in this age group need to undergo specific rites of passage that involve the performance of rituals and responsibilities to help them with this process. Those who succeed in coping with the challenges of this stage will be able to establish a niche within the community and abide by its standards (Erikson, cited in Boeree, 1999).
However, without adequate support, young men may become immersed in a subculture and adopt rigid perspectives of the world, which border on fanaticism. On the other hand, other young men who are unable to carve a niche in the mainstream society may reject their need to assert an identity and sense of belonging. In such instances, they become highly susceptible to marginalized groups in society and high-risk behaviors. These young men then begin to live in their own world characterized by psychotic fantasies (Erikson, cited in Boeree, 1999).
Stage six--the young adulthood period--goes from age 18 to 30. During this phase, young men confront the challenge of establishing intimate relationships with others including lovers a...