ABSTRACT
The concept of the family life cycle has played an important role in the development of systemic family therapy. Erikson and Carter and McGoldrick suggested that families encounter a number of predictable and unpredictable significant periods in their lives when they are faced with increased demands for change and reorganisation. The significance of the family life-cycle model was in revealing the interpersonal and especially the family context as influencing the development of problems manifest both in the family and in the individual members. Central to the concept of the family life cycle is the idea that different stages and transitions require a number of tasks to be accomplished, according to our roles and responsibilities, such as a reorganisation of relationships and expectations.
