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CHAPTER
10
COMMUNICATION AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENTAL STRESSES
This chapter presents a model for understanding the effects of developmental stressors
on the family system. Specifically, the chapter provides an overview of life change
processes the developmental stage and life course approaches. It focuses on
communication issues within the following six life stages and transitions between
stages. The stages include: (1) single young adults, (2) the couple, (3) families with
young children, (4) families with adolescents, (5) launching children and moving on
and (6) families in later life.
KEY TERMS
Developmental stages Independent list stage
ASSIGNMENTS/EXERCISES
1. Three-Generation Interview
Have students interview an older person who has grandchildren (or who is two
generations above themselves). Ask that person to focus on a particular developmental
stage in family life (e.g., raising young children, forming the system) and talk about
2. The Egg Responsibility
This exercise is often used in teaching the marriage/family lifestyle courses (and in
high schools) in which students form partnerships for a term and as part of the
assignment have to care for something fragile as they simulate new parents.
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they felt about the constant responsibility.
3. Triangles Interview
Invite the parents of young children to talk with the class about changes in
communication as the system moved from a two-person adult type to one with three
4. Launching Stage Discussion
Ask students to address the following questions: (1) How could you tell your parents
are struggling (or did struggle) when children leave (left) home? (2) What
5. Family Story
Ask students to identify a family story which tends to be told at transition points in the
family’s life, e.g., when someone graduates, is confirmed, marries. What is the
symbolism of the story? What values are continued in it for younger family members?
6. Personal Reflections
In small groups discuss the following questions.
a. From your observations, either in your own or in another family, what
changes occurred when a first child arrived? Compare these observations to the
addition of other children.
7. Passing Down Wisdom
Give students the following directions. “Relying on your insights after completing a
8. Role of Ritual in Transitions
Give the students the following directions. “Discuss with a partner a particular
transition ritual you have witnessed, such as a bat mitzvah, quinceañera, wedding,
9. What I Learned From My Life Situation
Have students read the following section from an essay “Reflections of a Stepmother”
and ask them to create a set of “learnings” (5-10 insights) from a family position they
have held (twin, step grandfather, cohabiting partner, etc.) The list should be
introduced by a paragraph of reflection.
Reflections of a Stepmother – Pamela Cooper
…If I am honest, I think I’ve become a pretty good stepmother. I believe I “was
there” for Jenifer, from the suicide of her close friend at age 17, to just the two
But love is blind, and so I leaped off the abyss into stepfamily living. And what
have I learned as I have struggled up out of the abyss?…