The Family Life Cycle 26 NOVEMBER 2015

Dr. Melissa Paulita Mariano

OUTLINE Generally, members of the family find ways to work

I. Family together to solve problens, such as dividing
A. Definition household chores.
B. Types of Family Structure ! Usually the parent is the breadwinner as well as
II. Family Life Cycle the household manager; unlike in nuclear family
A. Definition where members can share roles. (example:
B. Characteristics of the Family Life Cycle father breadwinner, mother household
III. Stages of Family Life Cycle manager)
IV. Summary 3. Extended Family
Includes many relatives in addition to the nuclear
OBJECTIVES family living together and working toward common
1. Discuss the different stages of the family life cycle. goals, such as raising the children and keeping up
2. To understand the different psychological with the household duties.
development achieved through each stage. May form due to financial difficulties or because older
3. Point out possible causes of disruption of the family relatives are unable to care for themselves alone.
life cycle. 4. Childless Family
Comprised of couples who either cannot or choose
not to have children
REFERENCE
Also known as the forgotten family, as it does not
2018A Trans
meet the traditional standards set by society
Dr. Marianos lecture and ppt
Many childless families take on the responsibility of
pet ownership or have extensive contact with their
I. Family
nieces and nephews as a substitute for having their
A. DEFINITION
own children.
The family is a social group characterized by common 5. Stepfamily
residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction.
Comprised of two separate families merging into one
It includes adults, at least two of whom maintain a new unitconsisting of a new husband and wife and
socially approved sexual relationship, and one or their children from previous marriages or relationships
more children, biological or adopted, of the sexually o Stepfamilies tend to have more problems, such
cohabiting adults. George Murdock as adjustment periods and discipline issues.
A fundamental social group in society typically An important task is learning to work together to
consisting of one or two parents and their children. ensure these family units run smoothly.
o While this definition is a good starting point, there 6. Grandparent Family
are modern family structures that are excluded by
Many grandparents today are raising their
this definition, such as childless couples.
grandchildren for a variety of reasons.
Two or more people who share goals and values, o May include death or absence of parents
have long-term commitments to one another and o In the current Philippine setting, may occur when
reside usually in the same dwelling. both parents work outside the country.
o This definition encompasses the vast majority of
1 in 14 children: raised by grandparents
modern family units.
II. Family Life Cycle
B. TYPES OF FAMILY STRUCTURE
A. DEFINITION
1. Nuclear Family
Refers to the emotional and intellectual stages a
The most traditional type of family structure,
person passes through from childhood to old age, as
consisting of two parents and children
a member of a family
Ideal family in which to raise children o In each stage, people face challenges in family
! gold standard life that cause them to build or gain new skills.
2. Single Parent Family o Gaining these skills helps people to work through
Consists of one parent raising one or more the changes that nearly every family goes
children on his own through.
o More often a mother with her children
o 1 in 4 children is born to a single mother
Transcribers: Del Prado, Dela Cruz, Dela Fuente, Delos Angeles
Editors: Tolentino, D.
[HLC][The Family Life Cycle]
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 In psychiatry, presenting psychological problems often STAGE 1: Leaving Home: Single Adults
coincide with critical transition points in the family life The individual begins to separate emotionally from the
cycle family.
! Transition point means sudden changes or the The person strives to become fully able to support
changing structure of the family life cycle ones self emotionally, physically, socially, and
(example: when somebody in the family dies) financially, as well as develop unique qualities and
o Awareness helps in normalizing crisis characteristics that define his individual identity.
experiences of what may appear catastrophic. Goals of Stage 1:
o Learning how to work
B. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAMILY LIFE CYCLE o Becoming responsible for ones own emotional
Each stage is correlated with two major dimensions: well-being
o First Order Changes o Staying meaningfully connected to ones family of
! Emotional and intellectual processes of the origin in the transition from adolescent child to co-
role transitions as a family member equal adult
! Life cycle transitions shift the state of family o Developing intimate peer relationships
relationships and require a repositioning in Changes in Stage 1:
the relational dynamics o 1st order change
! Example: Your parents are now looking to ! Acceptance of the emotional and financial
you for help as compared to before you responsibilities for self
would always go to them for help o 2nd order changes
o Second Order Changes ! Differentiation of self in relation to family of
! Developmental processes of the transition origin
! Growth responsibilities that arise during ! Development of intimate peer relationships
stage transitions ! Establishment of self regarding work and
! These dimensions are related to each other financial independence
obviously, you cannot develop if dont change emotionally
and intellectually first. STAGE 2: Joining of Families Through Marriage
For successful transitions, members need to adapt to Exploring ones ability to commit to a new family and a
family changes to ensure family survival. new way of life
o Stress is an inherent part of the family life. Joining families through a marriage or committed
o Stressors can be predictable and normative, union to form a new family system
! Sometimes, the member itself is the stressor Combining one family system with the spouses
! For example, someone moving out Goals of Stage 2:
o Unpredictable stressors can lead to a family o Achieving interdependence
crises. o Sharing goals and placing the need of another
! Sudden falling apart of marriage above your own
! Untimely death o Advanced interpersonal communication
! Accidents o Problem-solving skills
! Unemployment o Forming relational boundaries
Changes in Stage 2:
III. Stages of Family Life Cycle o 1st order change
! Commitment to a new family system
nd
o 2 order changes
! Formation of marital system
! Realignment of relationships with extended
family and friends to include the spouse

STAGE 3: Families With Young Children

Introducing a child into a family results in a major
change in roles
Each parent has three distinct and demanding roles:
o An individual, a partner, and a parent
Individual identities shift along with how you relate to
each other and to others
Figure 1. Stages of Family Life Cycle
Changes in Stage 3:
o 1st order change
! Accepting new members into the system
Transcribers: Del Prado, Dela Cruz, Dela Fuente, Delos Angeles
Editors: Tolentino, D.
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 o 2nd order changes STAGE 6: Families in Later Life
! Adjusting marital system to make space for This stage can be a great adventure and renewed
children freedom where an individual is free from the
! Joining in child rearing responsibilities of raising children.
! Realignment of relationships to include However, many people are caring for elderly parents
parenting and grandparenting roles at this time.
May experience declining physical and mental abilties
STAGE 4: Families with Adolescents or changes in financial or social status
Adolescence is one of the most difficult stages in life. Death of other family members, including marital
It is a period filled with both physical and emotional partners, is an important challenge to navigate
growth, a turbulent, confusing passage from childhood Goals of Stage 6:
to adulthood. o Maintaining own interests and physical
Adolescents are in constant pursuit of independence. functioning, along with those of the marital
Parents may feel distressed as they perceive that the partner, as the body ages
young person wont listen to them, or does the o Exploring new family and social roles
opposite of what they may suggest. o Providing emotional support for adult children and
Parent-child relationship will need to be flexible to extended family members
adapt to the teenagers changing needs. o Dealing with the loss of a partner, siblings, and
Shift from authoritative approach " collaborative other peers
approach o Reviewing the life cycle and previous
Changes in Stage 4: experiences
o 1st order change o Preparing for eventual death
! Increasing flexibility and family boundaries to
include childrens independence and IV. Summary
grandparents frailties The family life cycle is comprised of six stages
o 2nd order changes throughout its developmental lifespan, with
! Shifting of parent-child relationship to permit corresponding tasks and changes.
adolescent in and out of the system o For successful growth, family members need to
! Refocus on midlife marital and career issues adapt to family changes to ensure family survival.
! Beginning shift toward joint caring for older o In each stage, challenges in family life causes an
generation individual to bulid or gain new skills that allows
him to move from one stage of development to
STAGE 5: Launching Children and Moving On the next.
The stage of launching adult children begins when the Family life cycle theory also suggests that successful
first child leaves home and ends with the empty transitioning may also help to prevent disease and
nest (when all the children have been raised and are emotional or stress-related disorders.
out of the home) An individuals experiences through the family life
Empty Nest Syndrome cycle will affect who he is and who he becomes.
o Refers to feelings of depression, sadness, and/or
grief experienced by parents and caregivers after V. Quiz
children come of age and leave their childhood 1. These changes involve increasing flexibility and family
homes boundaries to include childrens independence
st
a. 1 order change in families with adolescents
Changes in Stage 5: nd
b. 2 order change in families with adolescents
o 1st order change: st
c. 1 order change in launching children and moving on
! Accepting a multitudes of exits from and
2. Tend to have more problems, such as adjustment periods
entries into the family system
and discipline issues
o 2nd order changes:
a. Nuclear family
! Renegotiation of marital system as dyad
b. Grandparent family
! Development of adult to adult relationship
c. Stepfamiily
between grown children and parents
! Realignment of relationships to include in- 3. Refers to feelings of depression, sadness, and/or grief
laws and grandchildren experienced by parents and caregivers after cildren come
! Dealing with disabilities of and death of of age and leave their childhood homes.
parents a. Midlife crisis
b. Empty Nest Syndrome
c. Sandwich generation
ANSWER: ACB
Transcribers: Del Prado, Dela Cruz, Dela Fuente, Delos Angeles
Editors: Tolentino, D.
[HLC][The Family Life Cycle]
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