ily roles (Wright and Leahey, 2000). The Smiths are presently in stage three of the family life cycle, which focuses on families with young children (Santrock, 1997). However, this is relevant to a middle class North American family and assumes there are two parents. The CFAM does not clearly define a life cycle for a single parent family. This model fails to consider differing lifestyles, cultures, population and economics that may affect a family. This highlights a possible need for an updated model that can be adapted to any family situation.
             There are six stages in this developmental framework. Theses include leaving home, marriage, families with young children, families with adolescents, entries and exits from family system and families in later life. Within each stage there are specific tasks the family undertakes. At stage three these are, making space for children, joining in household tasks and activities and involving extended famil
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