Playing, Childlike Adult

Abstract Holding aside the specifics of stages once more, Erikson’s writings provide a wealth of insight into play and potential childlikeness in the grown adult and about how one might reclaim some of childhood’s lost power. It was clear to him that too many persons lose vitality, joy, and a sense of wonder enroute to full adulthood. To Erikson, the adult version of play exists in ideas and plans, in drama and scenarios, in visions, models, and worldviews. But childlikeness is an entirely different matter, a giant step beyond play. Adult childlikeness requires combining play with wonder and trust, a blend found only in the rarest of persons. Further, in the broad span of life called “maturity,” Erikson found that only the most extraordinary adult could see in children generally, and in his or her own internalized child specifically, anything other than weaknesses that had to be variously restrained, controlled, or brought up to stature. By full adulthood, wonder, the ability to see things delightfully anew, had been forfeited, and distrust and cynicism had replaced much of childhood’s trust. This is one reason for Erikson’s change in the negative poles for adult resolutions. He saw that identity, in its evolving adult forms, cannot coexist with cynicism, isolation, and rejection. Solid development, positive adaptation, and good mental health require acceptance of oneself, of other persons, and of viable social roles, instead of role refusal, withdrawal, stagnation, and bitterness mixed with self-disgust.1