Family Development over the Life Cycle Chapter 1: Choices

How do we make choices? Not to decide is to decide –Choices involve tradeoffs –Choices include seeking positive or negative view –Choices produce ambivalence & uncertainty –Most choices are revocable, some are not –Choices are different in a new generation –Choices are easier with decision making skills

Elements of Social Structure Institutions family, economy, schools Social groups family & friends Statuses father, mother, sister, etc Roles obligations & expectations

Elements of Culture Beliefs (What you believe to be true) Values (What you believe is important)

Marriage What is marriage –.Definition: Legal contract between heterosexual couple and the state that regulates economic and sexual relationship.. Protection for parties. Protection for future children. Involve emotional, sexual monogamy.

Family What is a family –US Census: Two or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption. –Family of Orientation –Family of Procreation –Nuclear Family –Binuclear Family –Extended Family

Structural ‑ Functional Framework Family is an institution with values, norms and activities to provide stability for the larger society –Family provides socialized members –Marriage & family promote emotional stability –Economic support for its members –Family interacts with other institutions –Family provides boundaries for society

Conflict Framework Conflict is necessary for change and growth of individuals, marriages, and families. –Conflict over scarce resources Time, affection, space, desirable mate –.Conflict over power Autonomy, division of labor,

Developmental Theories Unilineal Development Theories--Social evolutionary theories –Change is ever-present and gradual –Change occurs in stages –Essential nature of society to change –Change is unidirectional; non ‑ reversible –No society can skip a stage of development

Family Development Framework Families change over time in predictable stages –Premarital –Married couple –Children Infancy, preschool, school age, teenage –Launching center –Middle-aged parents –Aging family members

Developmental Tasks Some work, some play –All work, no play –Playing again

The premarital stage Getting another’s attention Power relationships Separation & selfhood Space for family & friends

The Childless Married Couple Stage Blending of two families Issues of closeness & distance Feathering the next Adjusting to change Alternate states

The parenthood stage The couple, dyad, becomes a triad Divisions based on age of children Division of labor Values and beliefs

The empty nest stage When the last child leaves home Recapture ability to play well together May be the longest stage Choices of work for wife Caring for other family members Goes into retirement stage or widowhood stage