GENDER STUDIES & Autonomy vs. Integration Debate:

In gendered societies where social construction of gender is based on societal prejudices and biases, females could never attain autonomy or freedom in the early stage of psycho-social development. Thus, females could never be able to integrate in the society even in adolescences, early and later adulthood.

I hope it helps for your further research.





Psychosocial:
The psychosocial approach looks at individuals in the context of the combined influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment have on their physical and mental wellness and their ability to function.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt in Psychosocial Stage 2
Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the second stage of Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. This stage occurs between the ages of 18 months to around age 2 or 3 years. According to Erikson, children at this stage are focused on developing a greater sense of self-control.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Stage
This second stage of psychosocial development consists of:

Psychosocial Conflict: Autonomy versus shame and doubt
Major Question: "Can I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?"
Basic Virtue: Will
Important Event(s): Toilet training
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Builds on the Previous Stage
Erikson's theory of psychosocial development describes a series of eight stages that take place throughout the course of life. The first stage of development, trust versus mistrust, is all about developing a sense of trust about the world. The next stage, autonomy versus shame and doubt, builds upon that earlier stage and lays the foundation for the future stages to come.

What Happens During This Stage
If you are a parent or if you have ever interacted with a child between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, then you have probably witnessed many of the hallmarks of the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage. It is at this point in development that young children begin to express a greater need for independence and control over themselves and the world around them.

During the previous stage of development, trust versus mistrust, children are almost entirely dependent upon others for their care and safety. It is during this stage that children build the foundations of trust in the world. As they progress into the second stage, however, it is important for young children to begin developing a sense of personal independence and control. As they learn to do things for themselves, they establish a sense of control over themselves as well as some basic confidence in their own abilities.

Important Tasks at This Stage
Gaining a sense of personal control over the world is important at this stage of development. Children at this age are becoming increasingly independent and want to gain more control over what they do and how they do it. There are a number of different tasks that are often important during the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage of development.


Toilet training plays a major role; learning to control one’s body functions leads to a feeling of control and a sense of independence.
Other important events include gaining more control over food choices, toy preferences, and clothing selection.
Kids in this stage of development often feel the need to do things independently, such as picking out what they will wear each day, putting on their own clothes, and deciding what they will eat. While this can often be frustrating for parents and caregivers, it is an important part of developing a sense of self-control and personal autonomy.
Children who successfully complete this stage feel secure and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt. This stage also serves as an important building block for future development. Kids who have confidence in their skills are more likely to succeed in subsequent tasks such as mastering social, academic, and other skills.

Erik Erikson's VS Freud's theory of development
Freud's psychosexual theory emphasizes the importance of basic needs and biological forces, while Erikson's psychosocial theory is based upon social and environmental factors. Erikson also expands his theory into adulthood, while Freud's theory ends at an earlier period.