THE FAMILY LIFECYCLE What is a lifecycle A

THE FAMILY LIFECYCLE

What is a lifecycle? ¡A lifecycle is a series of stages families go through as the structure of the family changes. ¡ However, not every family follows the life cycle in order or description because each family is unique.

¡ Understanding the stages in the lifecycle of a family can help preparents and other family members for the challenges and demands each stage brings.

The Family Lifecycle Today’s date Record the information from slides which are titled in a blue font. These will include the name of the lifecycle stage and the description of the stage. You are also to record a minimum of two challenges faced by families at each stage, while we discuss them as a class. E. g. 1. Name of stage In this stage, families …. Challenges: … 2. Etc.

STAGE 1: ¡ In Beginning Family this stage, two people form a family unit separate from each one’s original family unit ¡ There are no children in this stage of the life cycle

CHALLENGES: ¡ What challenges might be faced by the beginning family as they prepare for the parenting process? ¡ Discuss.

STAGE 2: ¡ During Expanding Family this stage, children are added to the family.

CHALLENGES: ¡ What challenges face the expanding family as they begin the parenting process? ¡ Discuss.

Stage 3: ¡ This Developing Family stage begins when the last child starts school

CHALLENGES: ¡ What challenges face the developing family with children from ages 6 -20 years? ¡ Discuss.

STAGE 4: ¡ This Launching Family stage begins with the departure of the oldest child and ends with the departure of the youngest child from the family unit.

CHALLENGES: ¡ This stage holds many challenges for families. What are some of them? ¡ Discuss.

STAGE 5: ¡ This Aging Stage stage has parents with children who are now independent and living on their own.

CHALLENGES: ¡ What challenges would parents face in the empty nest/aging stage? ¡ Discuss.

Remember…. ¡ The family life cycle is one way to look at the roles and responsibilities of parenting. ¡ In ‘real life’, the life cycle may be a combination of several stages at one time!

Extending Your Understanding ¡ ¡ Review cartoon assignment. Have fun with this project! Begin brainstorming and come prepared next day with a concrete idea and/or rough draft. Bring pencils and art supplies if you’ve got them! White paper supplied next class.

Resource Used ¡ Westlake, Helen and Donald. Relationships and Family Living. EMC Publishing, Saint Paul, Minnesota. 1992. ¡ Adapted by Beth Trimper 2013

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Life Cycle Questions ¡ Do all families go through these stages? ¡ Are all families “nuclear” (two parents with children)? ¡ Do all families face the same challenges? ¡ How do roles change as the family moves through different stages?

For Example: ¡ What happens to parents’ roles when an older member of the family needs care? ¡ What happens to children’s roles as each sibling moves out to live independently? ¡ What happens when a child moves back in because of economic or emotional reason?