Family Life Cycle Objectives To describe stages of

Family Life Cycle

Objectives • To describe stages of the family life cycle • To explain how family structure, roles and responsibilities change throughout the family life cycle • To examine goals in various stages of the family life cycle 2

Family • Two or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption (as defined by U. S. Census) • Families continue to change and adapt as they progress through the family life cycle • The family life cycle begins at marriage and continues until death of a spouse 3

Family Life Cycle Youthful Marriage (Ages 20 -40) Middle-Aged Marriage (Ages 40 -60) Aging Marriage (Ages 60 ) Newly Married Stage Wedding Early Parenthood Stage Birth of first child Later Parenthood Stage Oldest child begins adolescence Empty Nest Stage Last child leaves home Retirement Stage Retire from career Death of a spouse 4

Newly Married Husband Roles: Tasks: 5 Wife • may share many responsibilities • may both be wage-earners • Develop patterns for interacting with each other • Learn to solve problems & resolve differences together • Set goals, plan for future

Early Parenthood Roles: Tasks: • pregnancy & birth of first Husband / Father child Child • continues through toddler, Wife / Mother preschool & elementary years • Caring for young children • Providing increased income for extended family budget • Need for more flexible roles as issues arise • Roles may change: double wage-earner (one parent home with child) 6 single

Later Parenthood Child Roles: Husband / Father Teen Wife / Mother Young adult • children reach adolescence • oldest may move out on his or her own Tasks: • Parents begin to let go of some responsibilities • Teens begin to gain responsibilities • Open communication between ALL family members is essential 7

Areas for Potential Conflict in Later Parenting Stage: • Teen’s dating habits • Freedoms & responsibilities • Future plans & goals • Performance in school 8

Empty Nest Husband / Father Roles: Tasks: 9 Wife / Mother • last child is independent and living on his or her own • Parental roles change drastically • Children become independent—some marry & begin their own family life cycle • Parents may become involved in grandparenting • Parents often find new hobbies/interests • Couples renew husband/wife relationship • Roles may reverse for older generation (taking care of their own parents)

Retirement Roles: Husband • after one or both retire from career Wife Tasks: 10 • May develop new interests/hobbies • Many have planned ahead financially for this stage • Focus returns to oneself & relationship with each other • Self-esteem may decline due to lack of “purpose” • Health and financial problems can arise • Role reversal can occur children acquire “parental” role

Death of a Spouse Triggers the end of the Family Life Cycle Adjustments: financial self-esteem health time emotional priorities Involvement is important: hobbies friends family 11 church acquiring pets special groups

Goals Throughout the Family Life Cycle Newly Married ü Adjust to married life ü Work together in marital responsibilities ü Develop positive relationship and conflict resolution strategies ü Balance work & family ü Enhance communication 12

Goals Early Parenthood ü Become financially, physically, socially & emotionally ready to parent ü Strengthen marriage ü Adjust roles to meet needs ü Give care & guidance to child ü Meet physical, emotional, social, intellectual needs of child 13

Goals Later Parenthood ü Establish husband/wife relationship beyond children ü Enhance communication & conflict resolution skills ü Maintain positive relationship with children/teens ü Keep communication open ü Strengthen marriage 14

Goals Empty Nest ü Make possible “career” change/adjustment ü Find hobbies ü Care for aging parents ü Strengthen marital relationship ü Manage resources – plan for retirement 15

Goals Retirement ü Manage health needs ü Develop interests beyond work ü Care for oneself physically (aging) ü Remain active ü Volunteer 16

Possible Roles Throughout the Family Life Cycle Mother Husband r e t h Daug dmo Brother Father 17 Gran Son Wife Sister ther Grandfather

Aspects That Affect Roles ØNeeds ØPast Experiences (what was done in one’s own family life cycle) ØChanges (expected or unexpected) 18

Quiz 1. The Family Life Cycle begins at _____ and continues until ______. 2. During what stage of the life cycle do parents begin to relinquish some responsibilities to children? 3. When defining family (according to the U. S. Census), what are the 3 ways people can be related to one another? 19

Quiz 4. Diagram the relationship structure between a mom, dad and child in the Early Parenthood stage. 5. What 3 factors affect roles within the family life cycle? 6. List the 5 stages of the family life cycle. 20

Acknowledgements The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences. Texas Tech University. 2002. www. hs. ttu. edu/ccfs Loyola Marymount University. Sociology Department. Family Life Cycle Links. 2002. clawww. lmu. edu/sociology/Soclinks/URLS/famlinx. html Parents Place. 2002. www. Parents. Place. com Production Coordinators: Treena Aston Allison Mangold Production Manager: Geoff Scott Executive Producer: G. W. Davis 21 © MMIII, MMIV CEV Multimedia, Ltd.