Family Life Cycle Flashcards
- Unattached Adult
The main issue occurring in this first stage is accepting parent-offspring separation. Rob Smith has just turned 20. He is in college, which means he is experiencing life on his own for the first time. The tasks that are critical for him to accomplish in this phase include: separating from family and connecting with peers as well as initiating a career.
- Newly Married Adults
The main in issue in this stage is commitment to the marriage. Rob is 23, and he has just gotten married. He is learning how to no longer act for himself and now act for the welfare of his wife and their relationship. He is accomplishing the tasks of forming a marital system while continuing to address career demands at his job as a copywriter.
- Childbearing Adults
Rob’s wife, Penny, has just given birth to their first child and named her Becky. They are now accepting new members into the system. They need to make adjustments in their usual schedules, finances, and duties in order to care for this new child. They are also needing to make room for visits and interactions with their parents in their new role as grandparents.
- Preschool-age Children
Becky has just entered a preschool and is full of energy, joy, and curiosity. And, while adored by her parents, she is also a bit draining. Now is the time for Rob and Penny to accept the new personality of their child, adjusting to it in whatever ways are best. It is also important that Rob and Penny make efforts to take time out as a couple - going out on dates, for example
- School-age Child
Becky is 8 years old, and the issue at hand now is for Rob and Penny to allow their child to establish relationships outside the family. This means they give Becky permission to go over to Megan’s house for her birthday party or to have Miranda over to the house on Saturday. Along with encouraging social interactions, this time includes tasks like encouraging the child educationally and managing increased activities, like Becky’s play rehearsals after school.
- Teenage Child
This is a challenging time for Rob and Penny. Becky is now 15 years old and wanting more independence. The main issue is then increasing flexibility of family boundaries to allow independence. Rob and Penny need to shift to some degree in their parental role and provide opportunities for Becky’s growth.
- Launching Center
Rob and Penny find it hard to believe, but it is actually time for Becky to head off for college and live on her own. The issue now is for them to accept exits from and entries into the family. While Becky leaves home, she still comes back every several months to visit, so one of the tasks is to accept her leaving while also maintaining a supportive home for her to return to.
- Middle-aged Adults
It is a strange feeling for Rob and Penny to be alone in the house again after all those years. They are now letting go of children and facing each other again. Now that their conversations are not focused on Becky, they are learning to share other things with each other and building their closeness. Becky is now 25 and married, so they welcome her back to their home for visits. The final task to face now is managing the continued aging and new illnesses present in Penny’s father and Rob’s mother.
- Retired Adults
Rob and Penny have just moved to Florida because they thought it would be a great change of pace for their retirement. They are accepting retirement and old age, which means they are taking part in tasks like keeping up their own health, keeping in close touch with Becky and her family, and dealing with the grief of losing their parents.
Cohesion and Adaptability
Disengaged describes a family that is distant. Parents who do not show any affection to their children or avoid genuine communication with their teens are examples of a disconnected family.
Separated describes a family that is ‘somewhat distant’ but spends some time together. A family that has dinner together but prefers time alone is an example. They may try to make a decision together, but members make far more on their own.
Connected is the healthiest level of cohesion. It is described by ‘emotional closeness,’ where families prioritize their time together and their mutual sharing. At the same time, connected families respect their members’ private space and allow for alone time.
Enmeshed is considered extreme closeness. Enmeshed family members are the types that know every detail about each other. They promote constant dependency, discourage doing things on one’s own, and may even lose their sense of individuality.
Adaptability
a family’s ability to adjust to changing phases or circumstances through life. It specifically measures the degree to which parents control their family and face new happenings.
A family may be rigid, where parents are highly controlling and resistant to change.
They may be structured; parents are in charge and rules rarely change, but there is some small allowance for negotiations at times.
A family can also be flexible; they are more democratic, and rules are upheld but able to be changed.
Lastly, they could be chaotic; parents do not have control, and any rules are changing constantly.
