Family Life Cycle

Two or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption (as defined by U.S. Census)

• Family

• Collective

• Friendship

• Group

all people who occupy a housing unit regardless of relationship (as defined by U.S. Census)

• Family

• Marriage

• Household

• Roomates

Beginning of one person’s family life cycle

• Adolescent Stage

• Teenage Stage

• Adulthood Stage

• Independence Stage

Evolvement of the independence stage into marriage or a committed union

• Coupling Stage

• Dating Stage

• Intimacy Stage

• Marriage Stage

How one nurtures and raises a child; time during a marriage or committed union in which both partners decide to bring a child into the family system

• Childhood Stage

• Child-rearing stage

• Parenting Stage

• Young Adulthood

Triggered when last child is independent and living on his or her own

• Retirement Stage

• Empty Nest Stage

• Child-leaving Stage

• Old Age

After one or both partners retire from career; can also be known as the senior stage

• Empty Nest Stage

• Old Age

• Middle Adulthood

• Retirement Stage

Children reach adolescence; oldest may move out on his or her own

• Middle Parenthood Stage

• Empty Nest Stage

• Middle Adulthood

• Later Parenthood Phase

Adoption or pregnancy and birth of first child; continues through toddler, preschool and elementary

• Coupling Phase

• Early Marriage Phase

• Early Parenthood Phase

• Parenthood Phase

Transitional period of development between youth and maturity

• Adolescence

• Teenage Years

• Late Childhood

• Childhood