Page 64 - fourth year book

FAMILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT

be achieved by the family during each stage of its development to feel
satisfied.

Stage of Family Life
Cycle Developmental Tasks

1- Beginning family - Establishing a mutually satisfying
(marriage, married relationship.
couple)
2- Child bearing family - Adjusting to pregnancy and the promise of
(the eldest child is in parenthood.
infancy through - Fitting into the kin network.
2.5years) - Having and adjusting to infants, and
encouraging their development.
- Establishing a satisfying home for both
parents and infant(s).

3- Preschool –aged - Adapting to the critical needs and interests of
family (eldest child is preschool children in stimulating, growth-
2.5-5 years) promoting way.
- Coping with energy depletion and lack of
privacy as parents.
4- School –aged family - Fitting into the community of school-age
(eldest child is 6-12 families in constructive ways.
years) - Encouraging children’s educational
achievement.

5- Teenage family - Balancing freedom with responsibility as
(eldest child is 13-20 teenagers mature and emancipate themselves
years) - Establishing outside interests and careers as
growing parents.
6- Launching family - Releasing young adults into work, military
(young adult leaves service, college, marriage, etc., with
family for military appropriate rituals and assistance.
service, collage or - Maintaining a supportive home base.
marriage).
7- Middle aged family - Rebuilding the relationship
(remaining marital - Maintaining kin ties with older and younger
dyad for retirement). generations

8- Aging family (from - Adjusting to retirement
retirement to death of - Coping with bereavement and living alone
both spouses). - Closing the family home or adapting it to
aging.

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