Family Life

Cycle and
Family
Structures
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
 Retirement
Couple stops full-time
Beginning Stage
work &
Couple works to est.
adjust to
a home &marriage
having more
FREE TIME! 

Middle Age - AKA: “Empty Nest” Stage

Expanding Stage
Couple renews their relationship
Prepare to adjust to Parenthood
& prepares for retirement.

Launching Stage
Developing Stage
Children gradually
Parents work to
leave home
meet children’s
to support
needs &
themselves…
help them
with the help
develop independence
of parents.
Family Life Cycle
 Beginning Family = Newly weds
Family Life Cycle
 Child Bearing Family = expanding
Family Life Cycle
 Parenting family = developing
Family Life Cycle
 Launching family = middle age
Family Life Cycle
 Mid
years family = pre retirement
age 55 – 64
Family Life Cycle
 Aging family = retirement 65 and
over
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
Family Structures
 Nuclear – two biological
parents, biological
children

 Advantages – 2 parents
to offer support, 2
incomes

 Disadvantages - None
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
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, no second gender role
model
 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???
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
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