Describe the alignment between family and career pathways throughout the family life cycle.
Description should include
- identifying the stages of the family life cycle as
- couple
- expanding
- developing
- launching
- middle
- retirement
- explaining ways in which each stage influences career involvement (e.g., a job that allows a parent to be home when children are not at school), career choices, and the balancing of personal and career responsibilities (e.g., whether the career allows for time off to care for children or older parents)
- identifying factors that influence how families coordinate work and family responsibilities and goals
- comparing traditional and egalitarian values regarding work and family roles.
Process/Skill Questions:
Thinking
- How have stereotypes in gender roles influenced work and family management?
- Why is sharing responsibilities among family members or work teams important? How does it strengthen families or work teams?
Communication
- What communication skills are essential to handle feeling overwhelmed in work or family responsibilities?
- How can one make sure one’s family members or teammates do not feel overwhelmed with responsibility? How should one respond if this happens?
Leadership
- What leadership skills can help in assigning responsibilities in work or family settings? How can a leader avoid the pitfalls of gender role stereotypes?
- What conflicts may arise when the division of tasks is inequitable? How can conflict related to the division of tasks in a relationship be prevented?
Management
- What steps can be taken to prepare for changes in career patterns throughout the family life cycle?
- How can workplaces be more accommodating to employees in different stages of the family life cycle?