THE FAMILY LIFECYCLE A source of roles, responsibilities

THE FAMILY LIFECYCLE A source of roles, responsibilities and challenges for families!

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 prepare parents and other family members for the challenges and demands each stage brings.

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 face the beginning family as they prepare for the parenting process? What roles may be assumed by the family members in this stage?

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? How will roles change in the family when the first child is born?

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? Will these challenges affect family roles?

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?

STAGE 5: This Aging Stage stage is sometimes called the “empty nest” stage, because the children have left the original family unit. This stage has parents with children who are now independent and living on their own.

CHALLENGES: What challenges would face parents in the empty nest stage? How do roles change for family members in this stage of the cycle?

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?

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!

Resource Used Westlake, Helen and Donald. Relationships and Family Living. EMC Publishing, Saint Paul, Minnesota. 1992.