Throughout life our bodies change. In youth, the changes lead to increased strength and development. With aging, the changes often lead to decreased strength. Granted, to some degree, the health and development of our bodies are influenced by genetics. But they are also influenced by accidents, illnesses, and nutrition. Currently there is a widespread and growing cultural awareness of the influence of exercise. Exercise is used to increase bodily well-being and to restructure parts of the body.
There is less awareness that personality structure and restructuring may involve a similar cycle. Some personality traits seem to be genetically determined. Yet it is also clear that personality can be changed through traumatic experiences or training or the daily conditioning that people experience in their homes, schools, workplaces and
During ages three to seven, interest begins to shift from wanting autonomy to concern for “Who am I (as a boy or a girl)?” Awareness of one’s sexual identity becomes important. Boys tend to seek their mother’s attention; girls may act to get their fathers to notice them. Parents are often confused by a son’s remark that “I’m going to marry Mama when I grow up” or a daughter’s remark that “I wish Mama would go away so I could have Daddy to myself.” Another difficult crisis exists for children who did not happen to be born the “right” sex to please their parents. They are in the constant process of deciding what kind of person to be and developing a sense of purpose for living.
