1. Family Life Cycle and Family Structures

2. Family Life Cycle Beginning Family = Newly weds
Child Bearing Family = expanding
Parenting family = developing
Launching family = middle age
Mid years family = pre retirement age 55 – 64
Aging family = retirement 65 and over

3. Prepare to adjust to Parenthood Retirement Couple stops full-time
Beginning Stage
Couple works to est.
a home &marriage
Expanding Stage
Prepare to adjust to Parenthood
Retirement
Couple stops full-time
work &
adjust to
having more
FREE TIME! 
Developing Stage
Parents work to
meet children’s
needs &
help them
develop independence
Launching Stage
Children gradually
leave home
to support
themselves…
with the help
of parents.
Middle Age - AKA: “Empty Nest” Stage
Couple renews their relationship
& prepares for retirement.

4. Family Life Cycle
Beginning Family = Newly weds

5. Family Life Cycle
Child Bearing Family = expanding

6. Family Life Cycle
Parenting family = developing

7. Family Life Cycle
Launching family = middle age

8. Family Life Cycle
Mid years family = pre retirement age 55 – 64

9. Family Life Cycle
Aging family = retirement 65 and over

10. Family life cycle may vary. .
People choose not to marry
Spouse may die
Couples may not have children
Families skip, overlap or repeat stages
Second marriages may change stage
May be in two stages at one time

11. Family Structures
Nuclear – two biological parents, biological children
Advantages – 2 parents to offer support, 2 incomes (maybe)
Disadvantages -??

12. Family Structures
Extended – More than mom, dad, kids in home, example – grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles
Advantages – extra babysitters, gain knowledge for elders, division of labor
Disadvantages – additional authority figures, crowded, physical care of elderly, other?

13. Family Structures Single Parent – only one parent and children in home
Advantages – only one authority figure, less parental conflict, closer bond with child
Disadvantages – demanding, no one to share responsibilities with, lower income, (maybe)no second gender role model

14. Family Structures
Blended – Adults with children from other relationships move in together with children ( his kids, her kids, and parents)
Advantages – “instant” family, opportunity to be around kids
Disadvantages – adjusting to others, different traditions, must share parents, who disciplines???

15. Family Structures
Adoptive Extended – Parents/Parent and adoptive child
Advantages – solution for couples who can’t have children
Disadvantages – child may feel rejected by biological parent, short transition to parenthood

16. Family Structures Foster – temporary care parents and child/children
Advantages – temporary care, safe home
Disadvantages – children may have emotional/legal issues, competition with biological children for attention, not all foster situations good