Family Communication Cohesion and Change 10 th edition

Family Communication: Cohesion and Change, 10 th edition Chapter 10: Communication and Family Developmental Stresses

Life-Course Approach • Developmental stages Change • Life-course approach • Macro vs. micro level structures • Three types of time: Individual, generational, historical • “On-time” vs. “off-time” • Sources of family stress • Vertical stressors • Horizontal stressors

Family Stages & Life-Course Interactions • Independent life stage • Emerging adulthood • Development of self and identity • Partnering • Early challenges: Commitment, power, closeness • Predictable tasks: • Separating from families of origin • Negotiating roles, rules, and relationships • Investing in a new relationship • Bonding • Transition to parenthood

Family Stages & Life-Course Interactions • Families with… • First children and small children • Coping with changes • Changes in tasks, identity, intimacy, sleep, • School-aged children • Outside influences • Negotiation and priority setting • Adolescents • “Hurry up, and grow up” vs. “You’re only young once” • Physical, emotional, and sexual changes • Managing closeness and distance

Family Stages & Life-Course Interactions • Launching children and midlife • New opportunities • Mutual responsibility • New support for kids • Marital changes • Families later in life • Retirement “re-entry” and identity shifts • Reminiscence and sharing stories • Elderly family member death

Transitions Between Life Stage • Borders between life stages are not always clear • Stress occurs naturally during transitions • Transitions necessitate and create opportunities