Family Life Cycle

Happy Friday! 2/7/14

• Today we are:– Discussing family life cycle– Groups to look at each stage

• Tuesday:– Quiz on studying children, families, family life

cycle

• Julie Chu

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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

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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

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Death of a spouseDeath of a spouse

Family Life Cycle

Youthful Marriage(Ages 20-40)

Youthful Marriage(Ages 20-40)

Middle-Aged Marriage

(Ages 40-60)

Middle-Aged Marriage

(Ages 40-60)

Aging Marriage(Ages 60 )

Aging Marriage(Ages 60 )

Wedding

Birth of firstchild

Oldest child beginsadolescence

Last child leaveshome

Retire from careerRetirement StageRetirement Stage

Empty NestStage

Empty NestStage

Later Parenthood Stage

Later Parenthood Stage

Early ParenthoodStage

Early ParenthoodStage

Newly Married Stage

Newly Married Stage

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Newly Married

Roles:

Tasks:

Husband

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

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Roles:

Tasks:

• Roles may change: double wage-earner single

(one parent home with child)

• Caring for young children• Providing increased income for extended family budget• Need for more flexible roles as issues arise

Early Parenthood

Husband / Father

Wife / MotherChild

• pregnancy & birth of first child• continues through toddler, preschool & elementary years

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Later Parenthood

Roles:

Tasks:

Husband / Father

Wife / Mother

Child

Teen

Young adult

• children reach adolescence• oldest may move out on his or her own

• Parents begin to let go of some responsibilities• Teens begin to gain responsibilities• Open communication between ALL family members is essential

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Areas for Potential Conflictin Later Parenting Stage:

• Teen’s dating habits

• Freedoms & responsibilities

• Future plans & goals

• Performance in school

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Empty Nest

Roles:

Tasks:

• 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)

Husband / Father

Wife / Mother

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Retirement

Roles:

Tasks:

Husband

Wife

• after one or both retire from career

• 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

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Death of a Spouse

Triggers the end of the Family Life Cycle

Adjustments: financial self-esteemhealth timeemotional priorities

Involvement is important:

family

friends hobbies

special groups

acquiring pets

church

Group Work

• Each will receive a stage

• Talk with each other about the joys and challenges of your stage– Must have at least 3-5 for each

• Share with class

• Lindsey Vonn

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Goals Throughout the Family Life Cycle

Newly Married

Adjust to married lifeWork together in marital responsibilitiesDevelop positive relationship and conflict resolution

strategiesBalance work & familyEnhance communication

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Goals

Early Parenthood

Become financially, physically, socially & emotionally ready to parent

Strengthen marriageAdjust roles to meet needs Give care & guidance to childMeet physical, emotional, social, intellectual

needs of child

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Goals

Later Parenthood

Establish husband/wife relationship beyond children

Enhance communication & conflict resolution skills

Maintain positive relationship with children/teensKeep communication openStrengthen marriage

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Goals

Empty Nest

Make possible “career” change/adjustmentFind hobbiesCare for aging parentsStrengthen marital relationshipManage resources – plan for retirement

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Goals

Retirement

Manage health needsDevelop interests beyond workCare for oneself physically (aging)Remain activeVolunteer

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Possible Roles Throughout the Family Life Cycle

HusbandHusband

WifeWife

MotherMother

FatherFatherSonSonDaughter

Daughter BrotherBrotherSisterSister

Grandmother

Grandmother

GrandfatherGrandfather

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Aspects That Affect Roles

NeedsPast Experiences

(what was done in one’s own family life cycle)

Changes (expected or unexpected)

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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?

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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.

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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.ParentsPlace.com

© MMIII, MMIVCEV Multimedia, Ltd.

Acknowledgements

Production Coordinators:Treena AstonAllison

Mangold

Production Manager:Geoff Scott

Executive Producer:G.W. Davis