Theories of Family Relations

Developmental Theory
David Comp

1. Assumptions

1. Individuals and their families become healthier in their relationships and interactions as
they mature and grow. It is assumed that families will increase their positive/productive
interactions and behaviors as time goes on. The focus is to look at what can be done to
improve conditions within the family.

2. There is always some type of order in the developmental processes of individuals and
their families and that these developmental processes will always occur. The
developmental changes that occur within the various family stages and the resulting
individual expectations of these stages are important to understanding the family.
Family structures are capable of and do change as time passes.

3. A third assumption of developmental theory is that time is multidimensional. Families

experience of time is quite different than time’s monotonic process. Individuals and
families tend to relate family experiences (markers) as a way to measure time. As time
continues, these markers will contribute to the overall development of the family and will
help in a better understanding of the family.

2. Concepts

1. Family life cycle: The family life cycle is composed of specific stages of development
that a family goes through. There are three widely accepted family life cycles that are
used by family scientists. The three family life cycles include: The McGoldrick and
Carter Model (six stages), the Minnesota Model (seven stages), and the Strong and
DeVault Model (eight stages). The developmental stages of the family life cycle are used
to describe a family.

2. Transitions: Transitions are the changes from one stage of development to the next stage.
Transitions occur over time and have been described as a branching process. With each
transition that a family makes, a new branch will form leading to additional family
transitions in the future.

3. Position: All members of a family have a position in the family. Positions generally
refer to the kinship structure of the family. Positions include but are not limited to:
father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, and wife. As a family develops,
new positions are adopted within the family structure.
 4. Norms: Family norms are the rules society places on families and its members. Norms
affect the family differently at different stages of development. Norms play a part in how
the family behaves and operates in the different stages of development.

3. Propositions

1. One proposition of developmental theory is that family development occurs as a group

process. This development is governed by societal norms. Family members are more
likely to continue with the order of events rather than with the timing of events.

2. A second proposition is that individual members develop internal family norms within
the family unit. Every family system has created their own set of internal familial norms.
Internal family norms created by families can include: church attendance expectations,
curfew times, and completion of school work. These internal family norms will change
as the family transitions from one developmental stage to the next.

3. A final proposition is if an individual member or an entire family unit is not developing at

the same pace as with “the normative ordering of family events,” the greater the potential
for future disruptions within the family. For example, if an eleven year old daughter gave
birth to a baby she would transition to a stage that is not age appropriate. This event will
have a tremendous effect on the development of the other family and its members. The
family life cycle will not be transitioning to the next anticipated stage of development
because the parents may now have to care for the baby and their eleven year old.

4. Applications

1. One way that the developmental theory can be applied is in family therapy sessions.
While working with a family, the therapist can help the members recognize and anticipate
normative family life transitions. In helping families learn to anticipate life’s transitions
the therapist can also help facilitate discussion between family members on what they are
going to do when the transition occurs in order to decrease future disruptions. The
therapist may also find it useful to construct a genogram along with a timeline of
developmental stage transitions. This may help the therapist develop a better
understanding of the family.

2. It may be helpful for those involved in developing and implementing family policy to
understand family developmental theory. For example, a family policy maker may use
this theory to strongly advocate for health insurance (medicaid) coverage for family life
education classes. Insurance coverage may increase the amount of low income families
using these types of services thus educating them about the family life cycle.

3. As a result of the above policy, more families will have access to family life education
classes. Family developmental theory may be used in these classes to families recognize
and anticipate normative family life transitions. The family life instructor can also teach
the family how to adapt and cope within their current developmental stage.
5. Critique

1. There is no agreement on the amount of stages a family experiences in their family life
cycle. This allows for an increased amount of criticism. Even the three widely used and
accepted family life cycle models have different stages in their life cycles. There is also
criticism regarding the concept of a family life cycle. The notion of a cycle suggests that
everything starts all over again. However, families do not complete their cycle and start
over again.

2. There is discussion regarding the transitioning between stages. There is concern that the
transitions are viewed as “discrete jumps”. Many feel that the transitions are more gradual
in nature. I feel that both types of transitions occur in developmental theory. If a family
member has an unexpected pregnancy then there is a discrete jump to the next stage.
However, if a couple has been planning the pregnancy over time then that is a more
gradual process. Either way, families do develop in stages and this theory has helped me
discover this.

6. Additional References

Balk, D.E. (1995). Adolescent development: Early through late adolescence. Pacific
Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Burr, W.R. Using theories in family science. Chapter 5. pp. 73-88 (class handout).

Klein, D.M., & White, J.M. (1996). Family theories: An introduction. Thousand Oaks,
CA: Sage Publications, Inc.