Family Life Cycle — Previous Year Questions

📊 Overview

• Frequency: 10 questions | Papers: 9/27 | 🟡 Medium Priority
• Most common: Family life cycle approach in adulthood; Section B

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📝 Master Answer (250 words / 6 marks)

Q. Elucidate the family life cycle during adulthood. (6 marks)

The family life cycle is a conceptual framework that describes the predictable stages a family unit passes through over time — from formation to dissolution. Understanding the family life cycle helps explain the changing roles, relationships, and challenges adults face across different life periods.

Stages of the Family Life Cycle (Carter & McGoldrick)

1. Leaving Home: Single Young Adults (late teens – mid-20s): Establishing independence from family of origin; forming personal identity; entering workforce.

2. Joining of Families through Marriage/Commitment (20s–30s): Forming a new couple system; renegotiating relationships with families of origin; establishing shared routines.

3. Families with Young Children (20s–40s): Adjusting marital relationship to make space for children; taking on parenting roles; renegotiating relationship with extended family as grandparents.

4. Families with Adolescents (35–55 years): Increasing flexibility of family boundaries to allow adolescents' independence; refocusing on midlife marital and career issues; caring for older generation.

5. Launching Children and Moving On (45–65 years): Children leaving home (empty nest); adjusting dyadic relationship; developing adult relationships with grown children; dealing with disabilities/deaths of parents.

6. Families in Later Life (60+ years): Accepting shift of generational roles; maintaining own/couple functioning; supporting the middle generation; coping with loss of spouse, siblings, peers.

Attachment Patterns in Adulthood

Bowlby's attachment theory extends into adult life — secure attachment in infancy predicts more satisfying adult romantic relationships. Hazan and Shaver (1987) applied attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant) to adult romantic relationships.

Related Content: 📚 Family Life Cycle & Career

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📅 Key Previous Year Questions

• Family life cycle during adulthood (multiple appearances across 2015–2021)
• Attachment patterns and romantic relationships in adulthood

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💡 Exam Tips

• Name the specific Carter & McGoldrick stages — it shows theoretical knowledge
• The empty nest phase and launching children are often the most asked
• If the question mentions "attachment patterns," briefly describe Hazan and Shaver's adult attachment styles