1. Life Course Theory Social Process Time Family Positions and Roles
Family Stages and Transitions
Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks

2. Social Process Time: a multidimensional (ontogenetic, generational, and historical) continuum in which family transitions and events occur Key Assumption: Social changes in roles, relationships, and responsibilities are time-sensitive and problems are caused when transitions or events occur “off-time”
Life Course Theory

3. KEY CONCEPTS “Social Process” Time Positions In Families Family Stages
Ontogenetic Time
Generational Time
Historical Time
Positions In Families
Family Stages
Transitions
Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks
KEY CONCEPTS

4. Family Positions and Roles
Sex-Partner Role
Provider Role
Childcare Role
Companion Role
Disciplinarian Role
Confidante Role
Family Positions and Roles
Sex-Partner Role
Provider Role
Childcare Role
Companion Role
Sex-Partner Role
Companion Role
Positions are defined by gender, marriage or blood relations, and generational
relations
Wife-Mother
Wife

5. KEY CONCEPTS “Social Process” Time Positions In Families Family Stages
Ontogenetic Time
Generational Time
Historical Time
Positions In Families
Family Stages
Transitions
Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks
KEY CONCEPTS

6. Stage I: Married Couple
Establishing a satisfying marriage
Fitting into kin networks
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife
Husband

7. Stage II: Childbearing
Adjusting to pregnancy
Having, adjusting to and encouraging the development of infants
Establishing a satisfying home for parents & infants
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

8. Stage III: Preschool Age
Adapting to needs or interests of preschool children
Coping with energy depletion and lack of privacy as parents
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

9. POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Stage IV: School Age
Fitting into the community of school-age families
Encouraging children’s educational achievement
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

10. POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Stage V: Teenage
Balancing freedom with responsibility as teenagers mature
Establishing postparental interests and “careers” as parents
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

11. Stage VB: Teenage Parent
What Are The Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks ?
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother-Grandmother
Husband-Father-Grandfather
Daughter-Sister-Mother
Son-Brother-Uncle

12. POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Stage VB: Divorce
Phases Of Divorce
The decision to divorce
Planning the system breakup
Separation
Divorce
Managing Single-Parent Family Homes
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Ex-Wife-Mother
Ex-Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

13. POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Stage VB: Remarriage
What Are The Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks ?
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Ex-Wife-Mother
Ex-Husband-Father-Husband
Wife-Stepmother
Daughter-Sister-Stepdaughter
Son-Brother-Stepson

14. POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Stage V: Teenage
Balancing freedom with responsibility as teenagers mature
Establishing postparental interests and “careers” as parents
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

15. Stage VI: Launching Center
Releasing young adults into adulthood with appropriate rituals and assistance
Maintaining a supportive home base
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother
Husband-Father
Daughter-Sister
Son-Brother

16. Stage VII: Mid-Aged Parents
Daughter-Sister-Aunt-Sister In Law
Son-Brother-Husband/”Partner”-Father
Rebuilding the marriage relationship
Maintaining kin ties with older and younger generations
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Wife-Mother-Grandmother-Mother In Law
Husband-Father-Grandfather-Father In Law

17. Stage VIII: Aging Family
Closing the family home or adapting it to aging
Adjusting to retirement
Coping with bereavement and living alone
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Widow-Mother-Grandmother
Wife-Mother-Grandmother
Husband-Father-Grandfather

18. Stage IIB: Sandwich Family
What Are The Stage-Critical Developmental Tasks ?
POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY
Daughter-Wife-Mother-Caregiver
Son In Law-Father-Husband
Children-Siblings-Grandchildren
Widow-Mother-Grandmother