Finding Fish
Name
Institution
Finding Fish
According to the story about Antwone Fisher as presented in the book “Finding Fish”, it was all about the triumph of the will. The kind of disregard, abuse and neglect Antwone was taken through throughout his early stages of life were too tough to have turned any man into a cold heart that would seek transference of such experiences to any other individual he came across later in life. However, a part of him remained intact and did not despair. In a psychosocial analysis of Antwone’s development, one ought to find various intriguing aspects of his life that depict his endurance.
Stages of Development
In reference to the stages of development as proposed by Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, Antwone experiences were well spread across his stages of development. The first stage in this case entails trust versus mistrust development (Berge, 2010). This is the most vital stage of development as it involves the initial care and love that a child receives from the mother. The experiences that a child is taken through in this stage will help them to either trust that life is a smooth ride, and have hopes that it will always be well for them in the future, or develop mistrust about life and loose hope for betterment. In Antwone’s development, this was the stage where he received the full attention that he deserved to surpass the various undesirable experiences that he was to be subjected to later in life. Mrs. Nellie Strange, his foster mother showed him all the gentleness and care he deserved. She even did not like the idea of giving Antwone up, and she consistently said she wanted to be with him (Fisher, 2001). Because of his experience of love and care at this stage, Antwone developed trust in life. He believed that everything would turn in his favor in life.
In the second stage of development, Erikson speaks of autonomy versus shame (Berge, 2010). At this stage, Antwone also seemed to gain some positive value that was important for his development. Having left his foster mother at an early age of three, he appeared to have developed a great extent of self-reliance. “Antwone crawls all over the place, stands and walks holding onto things, he says hi and bye bye…he smiles a good deal and appears to be a well-cared for child” (Fisher, 2001). Nevertheless, this stage brought a sharp turn in Antwone’s development. His new foster family was such a mess with his foster father Mr. Pickett, who was a preacher, being aloof, while Miss Pickett was domineering, manipulative, and very abusive. As a result, Antwone was a victim of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at this tender age. He lost his initiative and instead was filled with guilt, which made him feel inadequate, an aspect that was to haunt him for most part of his life.
In the next stage of development, this focused on industry versus inferiority development, Antwone was subject to various feelings of inferiority and inadequacy among other children due to his prior life experiences of abuse (Berge, 2010). His teacher, Mrs. Profit was however of great importance when she intervened in his situation and helped him overcome his feelings. Antwone proceeds to make friends at school, who became a vital part of his perseverance. However, his mother turns out to be a cause for drawbacks when she strives to slow down his development. She punishes him whenever he needs compliments and even uses his idea of gaining independence through raking the lawns of other people for her own gain (Fisher, 2001). Nevertheless, Antwone trusts her again.
The fifth stage of development, identity versus role confusion, appeared to be one in which Antwone was to remain stuck for a long period of time (Berge, 2010). This was not until he was enlisted to join the navy. He was asked in various instances how he wanted to carry put his life and what he wanted to do and he seemed to ignore the question. As much as he considers venturing in art, he does not show any pragmatism in the issue. He did not look at the goal as achievable. However, his colleagues at the navy proved to be of great assistance to him (Fisher, 2001). They stirred in him a wave of change that allowed him to overturn his perception of inferiority in him and develop confidence in himself, an aspect that changed his course of development back to the positive tract.
Various development tasks were realized during these stages. One of such tasks that one ought to achieve is social attachment. Right from infancy, an individual is prepared to attach themselves to the caregiving person and later to the people surrounding them (Berry, Poortinga, & Pandey, 1997). There develops a strong bond between an infant and the caregiver, which is vital for satisfying the basic psychological needs. Antwone achieved this task by being attached to his initial foster mother Mrs. Nellie, such that the two found it hard to let each other go when the time came. However, Antwone’s social attachment was disrupted for a while by the cruel Miss Pickett, who built in him a sense of inferiority and subjected him to various abuses that created in him fear and isolation. This need for attachment is rejuvenated in school where he makes friends and later in the navy where most of the persons he interacted with wanted to help him (Fisher, 2001).
Another development task of importance is attaining a sense of identity (Ingersoll, 2012). This is an important task in the development of a child as it involves identifying what makes one unique in the way they are. In most cases, an individual’s identity extends from their parents, but it is unique and forms a separation from their parents. Antwone faced a tough time realizing his identity due to the inferiority that had been developed into him by Miss Pickett. However, he later developed his sense of identity when he joined the navy and received much support from his colleagues (Fisher, 2001).
Psychological and emotional independence from parents is yet another development task of importance (Ingersoll, 2012). As much as an individual may seek to maintain the support they receive from parents, the progress into adulthood requires them to start practicing a sense of independence. Antwone’s emotional and psychological independence seemed to have been developed earlier in life, as he did not receive any emotional support since he started staying with the pickets and he was left to persevere and heal himself from the emotional trauma that he was taken through with all the abuses he faced. However, his independence to come up with ideas was also hindered by Miss Pickett who punished him for accomplishments (Fisher, 2001).
Antwone Fishers psychosocial crisis is of great relevance as it depicts the importance of the initial developmental stages of an individual in their lives thereafter. The cycle of development is a continuous process that needs not to be broken. As much as there may be various hurdles in life that may pose a threat on this cycle, it is important to ensure that the cycle remains intact. The crisis showed how the initial stage of trust set a positive mind in Antwone, onto which he built his resistance to negativity. As much as he may have despair a few times due to his experiences, he just required little guidance to rejuvenate the trust that he had inside and surge forward again.
Bio-psychosocial Framework
Identifying Information
Antwone Fisher is a polite individual with much of a story to tell hidden behind his outlook. At first, he could not speak out his heart and mind, but was later pushed to speak in honesty even in occasions when he is filled with anger. He is a single orphan, whose mother abandoned him.
Presenting Problem
Antwone suffered emotional and psychological wreckage over his early stages of development, where he was abandoned by his mother and lost his father to murder. The Pickets, a family that subjected him to abuse of all kinds at a tender age and derailed his development, brought him up. He engages in many fights with his colleagues, an aspect that is likely related to his previous life.
Client’s Description and Functioning
The client show proper cognitive functioning. He also maintains honesty even at his points of anger and bitter memories.Physical and Economic Environment
The client was brought up in a poor economic environment, and he was subjected to physical abuse.
Current Social Functioning
The client has a poor relationship with most of his colleagues and often engages in fights with most of them.
Family Situation
The client is a single orphan, abandoned by his mother.
Sexual/Emotional Relationship
The client is in a relationship with a woman colleague, whom he is in love with. They have an active sexual relationship.
Personal and Family History Relevant to Current Focus
The client’s further was shot dead by his former girlfriend, and his mother abandoned him in his early childhood. The client was well cared for and loved by his first foster mother. He later faced hardship and abuse when he moved to stay with his second foster family.
Assessment
The client is mad at his family for neglecting him during his times of suffering.
Psychological/Social and Emotional Functioning
The client accepts that he came with his problems to the navy. He links his fights not with the navy but with his initial life. The client accommodates all the new information delivered to him by the therapist during the sessions and through the take-away material, and exhibits changes in his stance. Progress is evident in terms of overcoming anxiety, as the client is able to develop a positive relationship with the therapist and his girlfriend.
Worker’s Understanding of Client’s Presenting Situation
Most workers understand the client’s current situation and they have given him a chance to overcome his anxiety by showing him support.
References
Berge, K. S. (2010). Invitation to the Lifespan. New York: Worth Publishers.
Berry, J. W., Poortinga, Y. H., & Pandey, J. (1997). Handbook of Cross-cultural Psychology: Theory and method. New York: John Berry.
Fisher, A. Q. (2001). Finding Fish. New York : HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.
Ingersoll, G. M. (2012). Developmental Tasks of Normal Adolescence. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from California Coalition on Sexual Offending: http://www.ccoso.org/library%20articles/Developmental%20Tasks%20of%20Normal%20Adolescence.htm
