Mgg2601 Essay

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1. Introduction The family developmental approach is based on the observations that families are long-lived groups with a natural history that must be assessed if the dynamics of the group are to be fully and accurately understood (Duvall & Miller, 1985). Although each family goes through each stage of development in its own unique way, all families are considered as examples of an overall normative pattern. In this assignment we will take a look at a couple with children and discuss their family life cycle and the transitions they have gone through to reach the stage where they are now. We start by giving a short summary of Cater and McGoldrick family life cycle model and continue to look at the key principals and second order changes lastly we look vertical, horizontal and system level stressors begin imposed on the family. 2. Introduction to family The family at the moment consists of four individuals. The couple is made up of two black South African citizens, husband age 32 and the wife age 30. They have to children within the union, age 6 for the girl and age 4 for the boy. It is the typical family; the husband is the main bread winner and owns a construction company. The mother also has a job managing a Salon to combat boredom from setting in during her domestic activities. The couple have been together for 11 years (that is 4 years without children and 7 years remaining with children). They are very much respected in the community and live a high class life style. 3. Outline of Family Life Cycle Model The family life cycle model presented by Cater and McGoldrick (1989) identifies 6 stages or points of transition which are as follows: 3.1 Stage 1: The unattached young adult This is the “between families," stage meaning that the developmental tasks are individual in nature rather than family oriented, (Carter and McGoldrick (1989). This stage is when

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