Case Study #4
Early Adulthood

A couple in their late 20's is planning to get married. Neither of them has been married before, and they have been living together for 3 years. She has a house that she has been paying on for 6 years. They are planning to live in this house when they are married. She also owns her own car and truck. He owns a small business that he started before he met her. He also owns his own car. They both have individual pension plans. Shortly before the wedding, she suggested that they draw up a premarital agreement so that, in the event of a divorce, a property settlement would be easier. She wants the contract to specify that what each owned prior to the marriage would remain her or his individual property in the event of a divorce.
Both are feeling the stress of wedding preparations, and they are not in total agreement on the specifics of the contract. He doesn't think they need a contract, and he also believes that having children could alter their living and financial living conditions (i.e., he might sell his business to stay at home with the kids.) Discuss this situation in relation to developments in early adulthood and decide what the couple can do.

1. In each case, the first issue you will write about will be an Erikson's stage of psychosocial development. Don't choose previous stages. Find and read about the appropriate Eriksonian stage in you book. Do not spend energy summarizing Erikson's stages in your paper (although you should be able to.) Once you understand the stage, explain why this stage is relevant to the discussion case, other than simply referring to the age of the child. The stage might be important to consider because of the unique circumstances of the case, or because of what the person does that shows he/she is struggling to resolve the crisis of development articulated by Erikson.

2. In addition to an Erikson stage of development, use your textbook to identify one other important developmental problem/issue that specifically applies to the case, or is clearly illustrated by the case. Only pick one other issue in addition to an Erikson stage. Be specific! "Psychosocial development" is too broad and general, as would "family relationships" because every case has a psychosocial development issue and a family relationship, so you must be specific while using your own words. Don't re-define the issue (that's already done in the case). You have limited space to convey a large amount of information, so you should spend your time and energy on relating the text to the case.

3. Suggest actions that would help with the case. The 2nd half of your paper will be to provide ideas in dealing with the developmental issue based on the analysis of the first part of your analysis of the developmental issues and stages relevant to the case comprising the first part of your paper. Each developmental issue (including Erikson's) is a problem, or crisis, that can be handled in a variety of ways with specific actions. Self-esteem might be an issue, so a suggested action would address how to deal with someone's self-esteem. Be specific and NOT vague. "Love the child more" does not cut it.

4. Once you have suggested an action, you must explain how the suggestion will effect the situation. You must spell it out and not rely on my powers of mind reading (however powerful they are) to help you.

4a. Should the couple sign a premarital agreement? Why or why not? Please start by stating yes or no. I understand that you will want to clarify this, but I need you to be clear on this and this is an easy way.

5. Other than the premarital agreement, what specific actions can the couple take that would help with the developmental issues associated with this case. Do not recommend counseling. What could they do besides seeking counseling? (This question is more of an addendum to the guidelines; in other words, you should be answering this question anyway.)

 

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