stages in the family life cycle

Last reviewed 01/2018

1. Leaving home

  • separation and independence from parents
  • the work role evolves
  • intimate peer relationships develop

2. Marriage

  • commitment to partner
  • mutual inter-dependence and intimacy
  • new relationships with two families

3. Young children

  • the marriage relationship changes
  • parenting roles are adopted
  • extended family relationships develop

4. Adolescence

  • increasing autonomy granted by parents
  • parents re-evaluate their own mid-life issues such as marriage and career

5. Launching children

  • build adult-to-adult relationships
  • parents re-examine own relationship
  • own parents' illness or death may occur

6. Retirement

  • wage-earning roles come to an end
  • new relationships with children, grandchildren and each other

7. Old age

  • becoming less able, more dependent
  • death of friends, family members and eventually each other
  • anticipating own death