Psychosocial moratorium
Psychosocial moratorium is a term coined for the first time by the psychologist Erik H. Erikson . It describes a phase of life in the human life cycle, more precisely: the transition phase between childhood and adult identity. Here a gradual detachment from parents takes place, orientation problems (career finding, etc.) arise; a “psychosocial ultimatum”, ie the final farewell to the childhood ego, is postponed in favor of a waiting period in which the young people learn experimental role-playing .
Seen in this way, the psychosocial moratorium will be "a room for development that leads to adult status, for which the professional or work role is constitutive."
For some years, however, changes in the course of the youth phase have been observed, especially extended stays in the education system. One speaks here of a post-adolescent phase of life, which can extend into the third decade - cf. plus the increase in single households , ever higher average age at marriage , later entry into the profession, etc.
The social institutions and socio-structural conditions ( “crisis of the working society” ) , which Erikson did not address further, could play a role here. Unemployment immediately following the youth phase, or stays with more or less prospects in the educational system that has been converted into a “custodian”, which inhibits creative engagement in the sense of work , prevents the development of an adult self-identity.
The welcome, experimental waiting period of the youth phase could turn into the problem of an unpredictably extended psychosocial moratorium.
bibliography
- Baethge, M. (1985): Individualization as hope and as fate in: Soziale Welt, 2
- Erikson, EH (1964): Insight and Responsibility , Frankfurt a. M., 1971
- Erikson, EH (1966): Identity and Life Cycle , Frankfurt a. M., 2nd A., 1973
- Erikson, EH (1980): Youth and Crisis , Stuttgart,
- Erikson, EH (1988): The Complete Life Cycle , Frankfurt a. M., 2nd A., 1992