Life span approach in understanding Family(Evelyn Duvall &Eric Ericson)

By .Group No-2

Stages of the Family Life Cycle (according to Evelyn Duvall)

Stage 1. Married couples(without children) Characteristics I. Period of establishment II. Period of know each other III. Societal Approval

Goals
I. To have a successful marital life II. To support each other in every circumstances till the last evening of their life III. Reproduction and procreation IV. To maintain a happy environment n the family

Needs
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. Stable satisfaction of sexual needs Family co-operation Societal adjustment Acceptance of new culture and tradition Emotional support to each family members Proper communication between the new married couples and family members

Task
I. To take care the other family members of the family II. The couple should know each other emotions III. They should take decision by taking each other views as well as their family members IV. Estatablishing a mutually satisfaction married adjusting to pregnancy felting into kin network

Problems
I. Appreciative II. Professional barriorness

Stage 2: Childbearing families (birth-30 months)

Position in the family Wife, mother, husband, father, infants CHARACTERISTICS I. Period of taking care to the child II. To give protection to the child

Goals
I. To give all kind nutrition to the child as well as to the mother also II. It is the prime role of the husband as well as family members to give all kind of physical and emotional support to the child and mother

Needs
I. II. III. IV. Proper nutrition A good environment Finance Support of the family members TASK Having and adjusting to an infant establishing a satisfying home for parents and infants

Problems
Financial crisis Proper nutrition Good environment

Stage 3: Families with pre-school children 2-6years

Position in the family I. Wife, mother, grand mother, husband, father, daughter, son, brother II. From this stage the roles and responsibility starts of each family members. Family developmental task Adopting to the needs of pre-school children, coping with energy depletion and lack of privacy as parents.

Characteristics
I. During this period development as well as the growth takes place slowly. II. This is the perfect age for child to go to school and get education. III. child is able to explore new idea and creative imagination to get additional knowledge. IV. Family members give more attention towards the children about their each activity.

Goals
The parents have a very crucial role to play in build-up the behavior and attitude of the child.

Needs
I. The average amount of food intake is around 1700/calories which is considered as the balanced diet for growth and development of the child. II. The parents need to keep the child with a disciplined atmosphere where the where life becomes disciplined one.

Tasks
I. The parents and family members should spend more time with the child because the child is able to express his intense feeling of anger suddenly through strong emotions and fear jealousy etc. II. The child intakes a very less amount food which result low body structure so parents should give attention to it.

Problems
I. Finance crisis II. Lack of co-operation of the family members III. Bad companionship

Stage 4: Families with schoolchildren ( 6-13 years )

FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL TASK Fitting into the community, encouraging children education and achievements.

Position in the Family: Wife, Mother, Husband, Father, Daughter, Son and Brother.

Stage 5: Families with teenagers 13-20 years

FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL TASK Balancing freedom with responsibilities and establishing post parental interest.

Position in the Family: Wife , mother, husband, father, daughter, son, brother.

Stage 6: Families as launching centers (first child gone to last child leaving home)
FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL TASK I. Launching youth into adulthood II. Maintaining a supportive home base. Position in the Family: Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Husband, Father and Grandfather.

Stage 7: Middle-age parents (empty nest to retirement)

FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL TASK I. Refocusing on the marriage relation. II. Maintaining kin tees with older and younger generations. Position in the Family: Wife, mother , Grandmother, Husband, Father and Grandfather.

Stage 8: Aging family members (retirement to death of both spouses)

Family Developmental Task: (I) Copying with death and living alone. (II) Seeing Families homes and (III) Adjusting to retirement. Position in the Family: Widow, Widower, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Husband, Father and Grandfather.

Conclusion.
Every Human life is unique, However, there are common patterns in life that many couples and families experiences, and that is why family development theory today remains useful. It helps to see that we are not alone in the world Many people are facing the same challenges we are facing. In summary most of us seek a long term satisfying relationships with partnerships, their work and their friendship.

References..
Evelyn Duvall and Miller BC (1985), Marriage and Family Development. Family Development Theory , Taken from Scott Plunketts FES 432 Course Pack.