Stage 6 of 7
Opinion
5 → 9 years
The child learns to put himself, his center into words, and learns to deal with rules, norms and culture. In an adult, the disruptions from this stage can lead to either difficulty in forming and expressing opinions, or having rigid opinions and rejecting those of others.
Developmental themes
- Knowing the difference between right and left side of oneself, east/west.
- Understanding the meanings of words and why things are as they are.
- Reality testing.
- Understanding unified wholes and grasping the differences in opinions and way of life in own family, school, one’s age group, neighbors, other families, etc.
- Forming own opinions and rules and fighting for them by arguing.
- Using arguments in a confronting contact manner.
Early position
Sullen
General attributes
- Parents ignore/shun child when he/she begins forming their own opinions
- Child loses contact when forming independent opinions
- “If I have an opinion, something will go wrong.”
- Has difficulty forming, holding and articulating opinions
- Passively opposes opinions of others; Passive- aggressive
- Non-verbally insinuates another’s opinion as foolish
- “Whatever!”
- Gives up on intellectual curiosity
Physical attributes
- Difficulty rotating spine
- Sways from side-to-side
- Slightly raised eyebrows and a passive, given up and know-all expression in the eyes
Needs to learn
- to feel supported in their opinions, how to form them and hold on to them using bodynamic ego functions & associated muscles
- feel supported and affirmed in developing intellectual curiosity
Late position
Opinionated
General attributes
- Parents reject child when he/she cannot explain or argue their point of view
- Identified with being right and will fight for it
- Holds onto opinions irrespective of logic or correctness
- Forward leaning
- Argumentative, stubborn, snobbish
- Actively seeks to confront others
- Picks arguments and tries to persuade others
- Unable to examine and self-reflect on own point of view
- Frequently says "Yes, but...."
- Makes use of leading questions: "Right?", "Don't you think?", "Ya know?"
Physical attributes
- “Ready to fight” expression in the eyes
- Head protrudes forward with energy in insisting manner
Needs to learn
- Letting go of the
- feeling
- of the need to be right
Healthy resolution
Opinion
Opinion-embodying: Know what they think and are open to what others think - A person with a healthy Opinion Structure understands that opinions are only based on what you presently know, and are not necessarily truth; they can be challenged and changed when you get new information. She understands and accepts that social norms and values vary according to the situation or place. She treats people so they feel equal and included. Her movements are becoming more refined and she enjoys running, skipping, and jumping.