Adapted from Chapter 2
“The Developing Child” 7th Edition
A
group of 2 or more people who care about
each other and are committed to each other
 Nuclear
 Extended
 Single-Parent
 Blended
A
family group with two generations –
mother, father and children – sharing the
same household
 Some included adopted and foster children


Adoption is the legal process in which people
obtain the permanent right to raise a child who is
not biologically theirs
Foster children are those whose parents or other
close family members are unable to care for him
or her
A
family group that includes relatives other
than parents and children within a single
household
 Examples


include:
Grandparents raising grandchildren
Grandparents living with children and
grandchildren
A
family group that consists of one parents
and one+ children sharing a household
 Single
parenting puts great demands on
parent unless there is a support system in
place
A
family group that consists of a married
couple and at least one child from a parent’s
previous relationship
 Also
called a “step-family”
 Nuclear
 Blended
 Single
Parent
 Extended
A
series of stages in a predictable order
Beginning
Stage
Retirement
Stage
Childbearing
Stage
Empty – Nest
Stage
Child –
Rearing
Stage
Launching
Stage
 Beginning

stage
Couple works to
establish a home and
marriage
 Childbearing

Prepares and adjusts
to parenthood
 Child-rearing

stage
 Launching

Children gradually
leave home and
support themselves
 Empty-nest

stage
As children grow,
parents work to meet
their children’s
changing needs and
help them develop
stage
After the last child
leaves home, the
couple adjusts to life
without rearing
children
 Retirement

stage
stage
Couple adjusts to
aging process
 Variations






Single adulthood
Single parenthood
Divorce
Remarriage
Couples without children
Adult children who move back in with parents
 Changing


Less clearly defined now
Increasing numbers of families are headed by
single parents or by two employed parents
 Mobile


Family Roles
Society
Individuals and families move often
Causes families to lack close, supportive
connections with friends and relatives
 Awareness

of Family Values
Many believe in government supporting and
encouraging families
 Commitment

A pledge or promise
of loyalty
 Time

together
Doing various
activities
 Communication

Open communication
is essential to a strong
family system
 Appreciation


Affirm each other
Each family member
is appreciated for who
they are
 Shared

Usually based on the
teachings and
practice of an
organized religion
 Coping

beliefs
skills
Techniques that help
people solve a
problem or adapt to a
situation

Caretaker of the
offspring of their own
species.


Biological parent: sire of
child; shares DNA
Adoptive parent: one
who nurtures and raises
the offspring of the
biological parents but is
not actually biologically
related to the child

A parent changes
roles throughout the
years




During childhood, a
parent is the caretaker
and supporter of child
During teen/early
adulthood, parents
become advisers and
mentors
During mid adulthood,
parents are friends and
confidants
During the parents
elderly years, they
become dependant on
their children, and roles
are reversed.
 New


responsibilities
Life long commitment
Will need to manage time, money, energy,
knowledge, and skills
 Changes

in lifestyle
Parents have limited personal freedom
 Emotional





Adjustments
Anxiety
Fear
Frustration
Doubts
Financial worry
 Changes




in relationships
Take new feelings out on spouse
May feel there is less in common with friends
Strained relationships with extended family due
to “advice”
May feel closer to own parents
 Emotional

maturity
Putting baby’s needs above your own
 Desire
for parenthood
 Health considerations
 Management


What are the family’s needs and wants?
What are the family’s goals?
 Financial


skills
considerations
What are the family’s expenses?
Can a child be added into the budget?
 Unsound
reasons
 Sound
reasons

Our marriage is in
trouble. A baby will
solve our problems

Having children will
add depth to our
relationship

A baby is someone
who will love me and
belong to me

I want to give a baby
my care and love

I feel like I’m nobody.
Being a parent will
make me feel like
somebody

I feel good about
myself. Parenthood
will be a meaningful
and rewarding
experience
 Unsound
reasons
 Sound
reasons

I want someone who
will take care of me
when I am old

I want to
experience the
special bond
between parent and
child that lasts a
lifetime

Our parents want
grandchildren

I love children and I
want to be a parent
 Why
is it important to make decisions about
parenthood before pregnancy begins?
 What
effects do you think an unplanned
pregnancy can have on a married couple?