Editing Autonomy (section)

==Child development==
Autonomy in childhood and adolescence is when one strives to gain a sense of oneself as a separate, self-governing individual.<ref name="Berk">{{cite book|last1=Berk|first1=Laura|title=Child Development|date=2013|publisher=Pearson|edition=9}}</ref> Between ages 1–3, during the second stage of Erikson's and Freud's stages of development, the psychosocial crisis that occurs is autonomy versus shame and doubt.<ref name="Shaffer">{{cite book|last1=Shaffer|first1=David|title=Social and Personality Development|edition=6}}</ref> The significant event that occurs during this stage is that children must learn to be autonomous, and failure to do so may lead to the child doubting their own abilities and feel ashamed.<ref name="Shaffer" /> When a child becomes autonomous it allows them to explore and acquire new skills. Autonomy has two vital aspects wherein there is an emotional component where one relies more on themselves rather than their parents and a behavioural component where one makes decisions independently by using their judgement.<ref name="Berk" /> The styles of child rearing affect the development of a child's autonomy. Autonomy in adolescence is closely related to their quest for identity.<ref name="Berk" /> In adolescence parents and peers act as agents of influence. Peer influence in early adolescence may help the process of an adolescent to gradually become more autonomous by being less susceptible to parental or peer influence as they get older.<ref name="Shaffer" /> In adolescence the most important developmental task is to develop a healthy sense of autonomy.<ref name="Shaffer" />