Family Structures & Family Life Cycles PCD Objective 1.01 Family Structures & Family Life Cycles Chapter 3 The Developing Child

Family Structures No one family is preferred over another

Nuclear Family Husband + Wife & Biological Children

Nuclear Advantages Disadvantages Two parents support one another and raise the children possibly two incomes None 

Blended Family 1. Man/Woman marry with children from previous marriage Children that existed before marriage Step brother/sister Step Parents 2. Man/Woman have children after remarriage Children born into marriage ½ brother/sister

Blended Advantages Disadvantages “Instant” family opportunity to be around children Challenge of adjusting to others’ presence and needs have to share parents and family resources conflicting expectations of parents and extended families

Family with: living in the same home Grandparents Uncles Aunts Cousins Extended Family with: Grandparents Uncles Aunts Cousins (other relatives) living in the same home

Extended Advantages Disadvantages May be extra babysitters gain knowledge from elders division of labor Additional authority figures more crowded physical care of elderly

One parent with child or children Single Parent One parent with child or children

Single-parent Advantages Disadvantages Only one authority figure less parental conflict Demanding No one to share responsibilities with Stressful Possible lower income No second gender role model Possibly fewer hours with children

Permanently care for children Legally responsible through court of law Adoptive Family Permanently care for children Legally responsible through court of law

Adoptive Extended Advantages Disadvantages Solution for couples who cannot have children Children may feel rejected by biological parents short transition period to parenthood

Foster Advantages Disadvantages Temporary care emotional issues Children may have emotional and legal issues from their birth families instability in placements so frequent adjustments required competition with biological children and other foster children

Stages of the family life cycle Understand stages/variations of the family life cycle and types of family structures Stages of the family life cycle Beginning family---newlyweds Child-bearing family---expanding Parenting family---developing Launching family---middle age Mid-years family---pre-retirement 55-64 Aging family---retirement 65 and over A family can have members in more than one stage of the family life cycle

Family Life Cycle Beginning Relationship/Marriage (newlyweds) Family Unit Established Child-bearing expanding Couple adjust to parenthood Parenting family Developing pre-school – teenager Parents work to meet children’s needs

Family Life Cycle cont…. Launching Middle-age Children gradually leave home Mid-years family Pre-retirement 55-64 AKA: “Empty Nest” Children move out of the house Aging family Retirement Reach the age where its time to retire 65 & over Parents adjust to a slower pace of life

Life Cycle…. Will continue and cycle back around That’s why it’s called “LIFE CYCLE!” Cycle=round, rotating GET IT???? Could the Life Cycle ever change?? What could possibly change the Family Life Cycle?

The Family Life Cycle

Variations of the family life cycle: Individuals choose not to marry Individuals whose spouses die or leave Couples choose not to, or find they are unable, to have children Families skip, overlap, or repeat stages, which creates new sequences Families have additional children several years after first group of children Families decide to adopt after their children are in the launching stage Families are involved in second marriages; two families blend and stages are repeated Families create extended families by bringing aging relatives into their home

Mobile Families-handout Directions: Look in your notes to find the answers to the questions for the Activities Materials: Magazines Scissors Glue Variety of colored construction paper Cut: six circles eight large ovals six rectangles

Activity #1 Directions: Cut 6 circles Beginning Stage Directions: Cut 6 circles Write 1 stage of the family life cycle on each circle with a magic marker. Find a picture to glue on the back of each circle to show you understand the meaning.

Activity #2 Directions: Cut 8 ovals choose to be single. Directions: Cut 8 ovals Write each variation of the family on each oval. Find a picture to glue on the back of the oval to show you understand the meaning.

Activity #3 Directions: Cut 6 rectangles. Single-Parent Family S Directions: Cut 6 rectangles. Write the types of Family Structures on each rectangle. Find a picture to glue on the back of each rectangle to show you understand the meaning.

Family Mobile When you have completed your circles, rectangles, and ovals you will put on your creative hats and create a “Family Mobile.” We are open to ideas and suggestions???!?!?!

Opinions about Family Structures-handout  Directions: Read each statement about characteristics of families. Mark whether you strongly agree or disagree with each of the six statements

Ticket In/Ticket Out Directions: You will receive a Ticket when you enter class. Write your description of your family on the ticket. Put in the PCD Orange box as you leave class when the bell rings.