Middle-Class American Family Life Cycles

Families pass through life cycles, with identifiable stages. Each stage presents the family with new tasks, where there will be considerable change during the transition through each stage. For example, the family life cycle can help identify if a family is stuck in a stage, and needs help to transition to the next phase. Specifically, if the children leave home, and the parents have a hard time adjusting, the social worker can identify that the family is stuck in the “launching children and moving on” phase. Also this cycle provides a map or pathology of the family. You can learn how family handle conflicts, and their coping skills.
b. Can this framework be utilized for families that do not fall within the middle-class American family (either through SES or identification)? Explain your answer. (4 points)
This framework can be utilized for families that do not fall within in the middle-class American family as there are variations to this cycle. Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that different SES, ethnicity or culture can influence each stage. Some families may skip stages, or repeat stages.
5. When meeting with a family for the first interview, part of your goal is to begin
For example, if a father continually interrupts the mother, who has just interrupted the child, then you can gather the father always has the last word. If the parents speak through the child, then this shows that the parents do not directly communicate with each other. Or if a family member explains the behavior of another, then this can show they assume they know what other people are thinking or feeling. Nonverbal and verbal can be interrelated. It can show if their verbal communication is or is not congruent with their nonverbal. For example, if a child is stating they are wanting to be in therapy, but their body is tense/rigid it might show the child is