ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the concept of family life cycle of the Old Order Mennonites (OOM), located in central Ontario, Canada. It gives us a better understanding of the OOMs and shows comparisons between the OOM and the more dominant modem and post-modern North American families in relation to stages in the family cycle in the present and the past. The book broadens our understanding of the family life cycle approach. It focuses upon a religious group of about 4,500 people now found in 15 church communities in several counties north and northwest of Waterloo, and in Mt. Forest, Ontario. The family life cycle approach to the study of the family was recognised as early as 1931. Its more contemporary use began in 1948 with eight specific stages. The family life cycle approach is appropriately applied to the Old Older Mennonites.
