Family Life Style Assessment - Coursework Example

Family Life Style Assessment Introduction Family life cycle is one of the most interesting phenomena that have ever beenchoreographed in the social sphere. Different situations prompt different actions to the extent that one issue affects the wellbeing of the other. For instance, when young people grow to some particular age, there is always a feeling of separation from the mainstream family and starting own life. Young people in a cross section of societies behave in a distinct manner, in so far as family development is concerned. The family life cycle is designed in such a way that it prescribes the different tendencies that relate to development from one stage to the other. The family life cycle stages can be critical in carrying out a family life style assessment to a greater extent (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). One of the very first stages in family life cycle is when single, but young adults depart from home. At this stage, the reliance on family for mainstream help becomes the theme. Young adults at this stage begin to source for their own finances and various necessities in life. Under this stage, the state of individualism creeps in to the extent that it becomes for a parent to have any direct influence on the life of the individual. In essence, what a parent says has to be assessed and criticized before it can be accepted or rejected. The belief system and behavior become part and parcel of one’s self though changes are enacted in the later stages of life. Through the different issues one goes through at this stage, a person becomes refined and develop better relationships previously not possible. A person is also bound to become financially stable at this stage. This is one of the most intrinsic stages in the life of an individual (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The next stage in the family life cycle stage is when a couple or partners start a life together (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The theme at this stage is two people starting a totally different system. In this stage, there is a wide range of issues that ensue in this stage in the sense that the element of an extended family, friends and other engagements begin to characterize life at this stage. This stage is commonly referred to as the second-order transformation and involves a number of issues. The third stage is under this cycle is young families with kids. One of the most interesting factors in this stage is that the couple gets to allow new people in this case the kids into the new system (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The initial stages of these developments are not as difficult as there is always a general feeling of excitement. During the night, the problem ensues and for some time people wonder what happens in this stage. The cries of children at night come with a different challenge. As time progresses, couples get to adjust to the new development and put some issues in line in order to meet the expectations of the newly found stages. Couples get to learn how to share responsibilities based on how ton rare the kids and how finances are to be aligned. A new issue arises in the sense that the family is opened up to other stakeholders such as grandparents and their role in parenting. The next stage becomes families with adolescence kids. Under normal circumstances, dealing with adolescents is one of the challenges that couples encounter (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The family borders at this stage are to be structured to include the independence of teenagers and the advanced ages of the grandparents. The adolescents get the freedom and space to move in and out of the system as set within the boundaries. The next issue of concern becomes providing the necessary care and wellbeing of the people advanced in age in a joint venture. The parents at the advanced stage require attention from the younger people and this marks the beginning of a life of reciprocation. At this stage, the parents have to begin to let go of their adult children to start new lives elsewhere. This stage can be the most emotional for a parent to the extent loneliness may become a common course. However, if a parent does well in launching the kids to a different transition, it becomes one of the most interesting sessions on the life of a parent. A new relationship is enhanced in the sense that parents have to deal with their children not as children but as adults. The coming in of grandchildren and in-laws becomes one of the most intrinsic parts for a parent. At this stage, the parents get to learn how to deal with the issues of different disability issues and the subsequent death of parents. This stage of life can be tricky and bumpy, but smooth transitions can be ensured from time to time (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The last of the stages is families in the advanced stages of life. At this stage, a number of issues come into play (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). People begin to take stock of the different issues that have occurred in life through the different stages. One may review a life based on the various successes achieved in the social sphere. On the other hand, one may regret over missed opportunities in life and the things not achieved over the years. The focus in this stage changes to the middle level generation who try to go through the stages of life. The guidance becomes one of the major roles at this stage in so far as watching over the middle generation is concerned. At this stage, different issues become eminent. Case in point is that one may lose a partner, a sibling or even a friend of a similar generation. People at this stage begin to prepare for their facing off as death becomes eminent. From the expanded family life cycles, there are a number of strengths that can be drawn to a greater extent (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). The stage that brings strength is leaving home and starting a new life. At this level, one is able to make own decisions and chart the way forward in life. As a therapist, one becomes more responsible and wary of the issues in social life and the different issues that come to the stage. On the other hand, it becomes possible to establish one’s own conduct and model the belief system as appropriate. When one is under parenting, there is a limit to which one can operate in terms of making decisions. When a person becomes independent, it helps in extracting the values within and defining the essence of life in a broader perspective. This will be one of the single most stages that will help in building confidence and the essence of wellbeing. Another stage that is likely to bring about strength is when one gets ton have a partner (McGoldrick & Garcia-Preto, 2013). At this stage, the essence of partnership is to get one who can compliment and supplement your efforts in life. To this end, it becomes possible to get help from a partner on a varied number of issues. This stage also ensures strength in becoming more responsible. This is the stage when brings a new dimension in life as one has to start knowing the rest of the extended family with widened relationships that in essence develops the ability of one as a therapist to deal with large groups of people with relative comfort. The lessons learnt at the stage makes it possible to provide counsel for different people of the same level with ease and from a point of knowing. However, there are a number of challenges that are bound to arise in the course of life. One of such challenges would arise from having new kids. Though the idea of having kids is a noble and interesting one, the responsibilities that come with it are very inflexible. For instance, one has to work extra hard in order to provide for the kids and the needs that come as a result of an expanded family. Under this circumstance, life becomes limited to taking care of the family with special attention on the kids. To this end, this stage of life is likely to be a great challenge. On the other hand, a challenge would arise in having to raise up adolescents kids. One of the most difficult issues for parents is maintaining and controlling the expectations of parents. Adolescents normally come with their own needs as they begin to discover the essence of adulthood. Guiding the adolescents through the different stages of life may be a great challenge that and may prove to be a major setback in the event that the teenagers are brought up in a less convincing manner. Moving forward in my career, dealing with the challenges would be the most intrinsic thing. On dealing with the challenge of arrival of kids, proper planning and acceptance of the new status would be the most appropriate manner in dealing with the issue. With proper planning, it becomes comfortable to have everything in proper shape to the extent that inconveniences are eliminated. Consequently, dealing with adolescents can be challenging though it requires soberness and having the right mentality in raising kids. To this end, dealing with this challenge would require that authority be stamped so that the teenagers get to know who is in charge. On the other hand, giving the right advice to the kids based on the particular stage would provide a basis for developing a better understanding among adolescents and by extent other extended family members. Conclusion There are a number of stages in the human life. Each stage is unique and diverse. The different stages include a person starting own life, couples getting together and getting kids among others, come with their own benefits and challenges. The strengths can be utilized to ensure success in different spheres of life, especially in career building. On the other hand, the different stages can be a great challenge to an individual and how best they are handled determines the extent of success be it in social life or in a career development. Reference: McGoldrick, M., Carter, E. A., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2013). The expanded family life cycle: Individual, family, and social perspectives. Upper Saddle River, N.J. ; Harlow: Pearson Education. Read More