1. Types of Families
FACS Essentials

2. FAMILY Consists of 2 or more people living in the same household.
Most important social unit in cultures throughout the world

3. NUCLEAR Married couple and their children
Biological or adopted
Adults partner to help with parenting and providing tasks.
Classic “ideal” family

4. SINGLE PARENT One parent & one or more children Result from
Divorce, separation, death or unmarried
Most commonly headed by mother
Everything falls on parent; children may be given more responsibility than most
Fewer resources

5. STEP FAMILY/ BLENDED
Consists of husband and wife, of whom one or both have been married before. Includes children from one or more previous marriages
Parents share responsibility
Children have more adult resources with added family
Adjustments of step-parent/children

6. EXTENDED FAMILY
Several generations of one family live together sharing home and family activities
More adult role models
Sometimes temporary

7. CHILDLESS FAMILY Husband & Wife no children
More time and financial resources for couple

8. FAMILY LIFE CYCLE
FACS Essentials

9. BEGINNING Marriage, adjust as a couple Separation from parents
Learn to work together and make decisions together

10. CHILDBEARING
Couples from birth of first child through birth of last child
1 or more children, adjust to being a parent
Less time for couple

11. PARENTING Couple with child(ren)
Focus on rearing from infant through teenage years
Reorganize family around school-age children
Parents recognize individual needs of each child
Teens seeks independence

12. LAUNCHING Children leave home for college, careers, & marriage
Emotional time for parents, may be difficult to adjust
Parents start to relate to son/daughter as adults

13. MID YEARS/EMPTY NEST
Couple with independent child(ren) living away from home
Empty nest= couple finds new interests
Renewal of spousal relationships
Become grandparents
Prepare for retirement

14. AGING/RETIREMENT Couple during retirement until death of both spouses
Enjoy leisure time, adjust to aging
Focus on friendships, new interests, and hobbies

15. Divorce When couple legally separates
Every family must adjust to structural changes
Can be especially difficult for children
Feel like they must choose a “side” (parent)
Time is split between parents/homes
May have to switch schools and lifestyle

16. Higher Rates of Divorce
Teen marriages (especially when bride is pregnant)
Difficult to adjust to parenthood and marriage
Couples with low levels of education
Prevents them from getting good jobs and support for family
Low income couples
Living on little resources is difficult
Couples with differing religious groups
Causes fundamental conflicts between parents

17. Remarriage Usually more successful than first marriage
Couples are older and more mature
Have learned from their mistakes
Cooperation and communication is typically better
Adjustments for children
Have two sets of parents
New siblings
New home

18. Cycle This cycle does not always have to go in this order...
Children born out of wedlock
Divorce
Remarriage
Death of family member
Important for family to come together during all parts of the cycle and work together for the better of the whole!

19. Scenarios Your marriage is headed for divorce.
How would you settle property, child custody, divorce costs?
You are a single mother.
How will you cope emotionally and financially?
Elderly parents need to move in with you.
What conflicts and adjustments will arise?
You just remarried.
How will family discipline be handled? How will household chores be divided? What name do you expect the children to call you? Where should you live? How should you divide physical space?