Juno analyzed through the lens of Erik Erikson

Erikson Prominent Psychosocial Theorist Credits society and culture for shaping individuals Concentrates on social interactions among people Development is continuous throughout entire life Views development through 8 stages

8 Stages of Development Fixed structural outline Comparable among each individual Each stage has a central task that an individual must overcome in order to successfully move on to the next stage

Stage 1 Stage 2 Trust vs. Mistrust Birth – 18 months Autonomy Shame and Doubt Birth – 18 months 18 months – 3 years

Stage 3 Stage 4 Initiative vs. Guilt Industry Inferiority 3 – 6 years 6 – 12 years

Stage 5 Stage 6 Adolescence Early Adulthood Identity vs. Identity Confusion Intimacy Isolation Adolescence Early Adulthood

Stage 7 Stage 8 Generativity vs. Stagnation Ego-integrity Dispair Middle Adulthood Late Adulthood

Character Examples Juno Bleeker Mark Vanessa

Role Confusion vs. Identity It is an important task in adolescent development Develop a sense of personal identity Understand one’s unique characteristics

Identity Crisis Confusion about all of the roles that the adolescent has to take on Adolescent can become troubled by a lack of identity

Juno Family: she is confused about where he belongs in her family. Her parents are divorced. Her mom moved away. Her dad is remarried and has another daughter. She does not have a solid role in her family.

Juno Adult vs. Adolescent: Having to make adult decisions but also wanting to be an adolescent. She has to make adult decisions about adoption. She also needs her dad to go with her to meet the adoptive parents to help her make a better judgment of the couple. "I don't really know hat kind of girl I am.”

Bleeker Becoming a Dad: stuck between becoming a father and staying an adolescent He is not sure exactly how he fits in with Juno and the baby. He pursues intimacy by reaching out to Juno, but she pushes him away which adds to his confusion. Before the ultra sound he asks Juno if he should come.

Isolation vs. Intimacy The sixth stage of Erikson’s theory The major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people.

Juno Confusion about Love She says "I just need to know two people can stay in love forever."  Not many examples of love lasting in her life.

Bleeker Relationship with Juno: is not sure if he should be with Juno. They like each other, but they are not positive whether he can date her or if she wants to date him. He is having a role confusion whether to be Juno's boyfriend or just her friend.

Mark Identity vs. role confusion Intimacy vs. isolation Never completed developing identity Relives his past and relates to Juno on a personal level. “how do you think of me?” “I thought you would understand” Mark cannot move to next level of development “I don’t know if I am ready to be a father” “Just some things I still want to do” “I never said I would be a good father”

Vanessa Contrast to Mark Vanessa has moved on to the next stage in life Intimacy vs. Isolation Knows she is ready to be a mother does all the foot work to become a mother “I want to be a mommy so badly” You ever felt you were born to do something?, I was born to be a mother” Vanessa was fully aware of Marks stagnation “Grow up, if I have to wait until you become Kurt Cobain I am never going to be a mother”