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

2. Family Structures
No one
family
is preferred
over another

3. Nuclear Family
Husband + Wife & Biological Children

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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?

18. The Family Life Cycle

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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???!?!?!

25. 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

26. 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.