What are the stages of family development?

The correct choice highlights the progression of family development through various stages, specifically the couple stage and the older family stage.

The couple stage refers to the period when two individuals form a partnership and begin to build a family unit. This stage encompasses the challenges and adjustments that couples face as they navigate their relationship, establish their roles, and potentially start raising children. The focus during this stage is often on maintaining a healthy partnership, effective communication, and setting a foundation for future family dynamics.

The older family stage comes after children have grown up and possibly started their own families, leading the couple to transition into a new phase where they often confront issues related to aging, changes in relationships, and potential shifts in their roles as parents and grandparents. This stage may also include a reevaluation of their relationship and personal goals as they adapt to the empty nest syndrome and prepare for later life.

Other choices don't accurately represent the comprehensive stages of family development. Stages focusing solely on infancy, childhood, or marital status do not encapsulate the depth and transitions individuals and families experience over time. The family development model emphasizes not just individual life stages, but also the relational dynamics that evolve as families grow and adapt.