Growing Up as a Nation: The U.S. on the Global Developmental Continuum
“A nation’s journey mirrors our own: messy, rebellious, and full of promise. Growth isn’t just about time—it’s about the courage to reflect, the humility to connect, and the resilience to rise together.” - Mary Coughlin
Growing Up as a Nation: The U.S. on the Global Developmental Continuum
The Developmental Lens: How Nations Grow
The U.S. as a Teenager: A Global Perspective
Adolescence as a Time of Promise
Building Resilience as a Nation
When we look at history, it’s tempting to think of nations as static entities—unchanging monoliths of culture, tradition, and identity. But what if we viewed nations as living, evolving systems? Like people, nations go through stages of development, grappling with growth, change, and self-discovery. If we apply this metaphor to the United States, a fascinating picture emerges: one of a relatively young nation navigating the world stage much like an adolescent finding its way in a complex and interconnected world.
The Developmental Lens: How Nations Grow
Developmental theories, such as Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, offer a framework for understanding how individuals move through phases of growth, each with its own challenges and opportunities. Similarly, nations could be viewed as progressing through their own developmental continuum:
Infancy: Establishing survival and foundational structures (e.g., governance, economy, identity).
Childhood: Experimenting, learning boundaries, and forming initial relationships with others.
Adolescence: Seeking independence, testing limits, and wrestling with identity and belonging.
Adulthood: Embracing responsibility, fostering collaboration, and consolidating a clear sense of self.
Elderhood: Offering wisdom and guidance to others, reflecting on legacy, and mentoring the younger generations.
By this measure, the United States—at just over 240 years of age—is still young compared to many nations with millennia of recorded history. The U.S. has experienced its "childhood," marked by rapid expansion and industrialization, and now finds itself in an "adolescent" phase: full of energy, passion, and creativity, but also prone to rebellion, risk-taking, and identity crises.
The U.S. as a Teenager: A Global Perspective
If we view the U.S. as a metaphorical teenager, the behaviors and challenges we see today begin to make sense. Like an adolescent, the U.S. is navigating:
Identity Exploration: Adolescents often ask, “Who am I, and who do I want to become?” Similarly, the U.S. is grappling with its identity as a nation. Are we champions of democracy and human rights? Or are we inward-focused, prioritizing national interests over global concerns? The tension between progressivism and traditionalism, between unity and division, reflects this struggle.
Boundary Testing: Adolescents push boundaries to assert independence. The U.S., too, alternates between asserting dominance on the global stage and retreating into isolationism. Whether in foreign policy, environmental commitments, or trade, this push-and-pull dynamic is reminiscent of a teenager figuring out where they fit in the world.
Rebellion and Risk-Taking: The political polarization and social upheaval in the U.S. could be seen as the "rebellious" streak of adolescence—pushing against norms, experimenting with new ideas, and sometimes making impulsive decisions. Yet, rebellion often comes with the promise of transformation and growth.
Moments of Innovation: Adolescence is also a time of immense creativity and experimentation. From groundbreaking advancements in technology and medicine to cultural influence through music, art, and activism, the U.S. showcases the potential for innovation that adolescence offers.
Lessons from Older Nations
What might the U.S. learn from "older" nations that have traversed their own tumultuous paths? Nations like China, India, or many in Europe have histories spanning thousands of years. They’ve weathered revolutions, wars, collapses, and renaissances. Their long histories offer lessons in resilience, patience, and the cycles of growth.
For example:
The Value of Reflection: Older nations often draw from their deep histories to inform present decisions. The U.S., by contrast, is still learning to reflect on its own past with honesty, grappling with the legacy of slavery, Indigenous displacement, and systemic inequities.
Embracing Interdependence: Mature nations recognize the importance of collaboration over competition. In our interconnected world, the U.S. has an opportunity to evolve from a mindset of dominance to one of partnership.
The Power of Adaptability: Resilience isn’t about rigidity—it’s about flexibility. Older nations have adapted to shifting power dynamics, and the U.S. must do the same in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Adolescence as a Time of Promise
While adolescence can be a tumultuous time, it’s also a period of incredible potential. Teenagers are bold, innovative, and unafraid to dream big. Similarly, the U.S. has immense energy and creativity to bring to the global stage. From groundbreaking technological advances to cultural influence, the nation is uniquely positioned to lead with vision and purpose.
But just as individuals need guidance and support to mature, so too do nations. For the U.S., this means fostering humility, seeking wisdom from others, and building bridges rather than walls.
Building Resilience as a Nation
Resilience is central to growth, whether for individuals or nations. In the trauma-informed care world, resilience is built through connection, equity, and empowerment. For the U.S., this could mean embracing diversity not as a challenge but as a strength, fostering relationships built on trust, and learning to listen deeply—to one another and to the lessons of history.
Growth is never linear. It involves setbacks, leaps forward, and moments of profound learning. As the U.S. navigates its "adolescence," its resilience will come from its ability to adapt, reflect, and create meaningful change.
A Call to Reflection and Action
As citizens, we have a role to play in shaping our nation’s growth. What kind of "adult" nation do we want the U.S. to become? What qualities—compassion, responsibility, connection—can we embody in our daily lives to guide that growth?
Let’s take a moment to reflect:
How can we nurture maturity in our communities and systems?
What lessons can we draw from our own experiences of growth and resilience?
How can we, as individuals, build a nation that reflects the values of equity, interdependence, and hope?
Adolescence is a stepping stone to adulthood, a time of possibility and transformation. The challenges the U.S. faces today are not just obstacles; they are opportunities to grow into a wiser, more compassionate, and resilient nation. Let’s not resist the lessons of this phase but embrace them with curiosity and courage.
Closing Thoughts
What stage of development do you think your own nation is in? What lessons can we learn from the growth of others? Let’s continue this conversation—together. Growth may be messy, but it is also full of promise.
With deep respect and hope for our shared growth,
Mary
P.S. I’d love to hear your reflections! What stage of growth do you think our nation—or the world—is in? Share your thoughts below or reach out—I’m always eager to continue the conversation. 🌍✨
