An Introduction to Human Services: Values, Methods, and Populations Served essay
Overall, according to Poindexter & Valentine (2006), it is possible to identify six family developmental stages – unattached young adult, new couple, family with young children, family with adolescents, launching children and families in later life. Each stage has specific family characteristics and family priorities. Some families might experience different stages at the same time.
With regard to Garcia-Wells family unit, it is possible to determine that they are at the third stage – family with young children. Indeed, this family unit consists of Jake Wells, Elena Garcia and their three kids, 8 years old, 4 years old and 8 months old. This stage is characterized by the focus on children’s basic needs, on sharing responsibilities and facing challenges while children grow up. The stage of the family with young children is characterized by high divorce rates, yet Garcia-Wells family seems to manage the difficulties quite efficiently.
Wells family unit consists of Tom and Marie Wells, Jake’s parents. It is not clear whether Kimmie lives with them or not. If Kimmie lives separately, then Wells family unit is at the sixth stage named “families in later life”. At this stage, some parental couples become grandparents and all of them move to retirement. Family unit members are focused on age-related needs and their health, and establish closer relationships with adult children and their families to have better emotional support.
If Kimmie lives separately from her parents, then her family unit is a separate one and is at the first stage – the unattached young adult. At this stage, the young adult established personal way of living, personal goals, forms intimate relationships with peers and in general established own independence in different spheres of life, e.g. emotional independence, financial independence, etc.
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