Family Developmental Theory
family Developmental Theory evolved in three phases Phase I – Theorists Focused on The Family Life Cycle
Process of birth, growth, maintenance, shrinkage and death Phase II - contemporary theory – Theorists Focused on Roles and Relationships within the family
Family is composed of social roles and relationships that change with each stage of the family Phase III – Theorists critique the theory
Look at the limitations and strengths of the framework.
One criticism is that the framework is biassed towards intact nuclear families, only one of many different types of family structures
Major Constructs
Family developmental theory includes two basic concepts
1. the life cycle
The family life cycle divides the family experiences into stages over the life span and describes changes in family structure and roles during each stage. 2. developmental task.
Developmental tasks are the growth responsibilities that arise at certain stages in the life of the family. To be successful, family members need to adapt to changing needs and demands and to attend to tasks that are necessary to ensure family survival.
Definitions Family life cycle – Set of predictable steps or patterns and developmental tasks families experience over time. o The family life cycle concept facilitates studying the family from beginning to end. Family stage – A time period in the life of a family that has a unique structure. o For example consider Duvall’s Stages of the Family Life Cycle, Families with preschool children Transition – The shift from one family stage to another o Consider the Intact Family Life Cycle. The transition, for example, from Families with Adolescence to Launching Children is what occurs in the family as all
Process of birth, growth, maintenance, shrinkage and death Phase II - contemporary theory – Theorists Focused on Roles and Relationships within the family
Family is composed of social roles and relationships that change with each stage of the family Phase III – Theorists critique the theory
Look at the limitations and strengths of the framework.
One criticism is that the framework is biassed towards intact nuclear families, only one of many different types of family structures
Major Constructs
Family developmental theory includes two basic concepts
1. the life cycle
The family life cycle divides the family experiences into stages over the life span and describes changes in family structure and roles during each stage. 2. developmental task.
Developmental tasks are the growth responsibilities that arise at certain stages in the life of the family. To be successful, family members need to adapt to changing needs and demands and to attend to tasks that are necessary to ensure family survival.
Definitions Family life cycle – Set of predictable steps or patterns and developmental tasks families experience over time. o The family life cycle concept facilitates studying the family from beginning to end. Family stage – A time period in the life of a family that has a unique structure. o For example consider Duvall’s Stages of the Family Life Cycle, Families with preschool children Transition – The shift from one family stage to another o Consider the Intact Family Life Cycle. The transition, for example, from Families with Adolescence to Launching Children is what occurs in the family as all