Chapter 2 Your Family 43
Throughout the family life cycle, stages may overlap. For instance, after
the oldest child has started school, the mother may have another baby, adopt,
or raise foster children. Thus, the family would be in both the childbearing
stage and the parenting stage at the same time.
Family Challenges
All families must face challenges, 2-8. Some challenges may be small,
such as arguing with your parents about what time you should come home
from a friend’s house. Other challenges are much bigger. A crisis is a diffi cult
situation that becomes very serious. Unemployment, relocation, fi nancial
setbacks, divorce, and the loss of a family member or friend are just several
examples of crises families may face.
Families handle crises in different ways. Some families have a diffi cult time
learning how to adjust and cope to changes that may occur as a result of a crisis.
Other families, however, are more prepared to handle the challenges that come
their way. They can adapt to change much more easily.
A crisis can occur in your life at any time. Knowing the kinds of crises that
might occur and the changes that can result may help you prepare for such
events. Knowing what resources you can call on to help you deal with crises
will also be helpful.
Unemployment
When a person becomes unemployed, he or she no longer receives an
income, which affects the family’s fi nances, 2-9. If the person has diffi culty
2-8 Most people experience some crises in their lives.
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