Homework: Family Life-Cycle Stages
Although every individual experiences family life cycle transitions in unique ways, common challenges and experiences often arise at these transition periods. For example, many couples experience changes in their sexual relationship after they become parents. Likewise, adults' understanding of what it means to have "positive" sexual functioning may differ at different stages in the family life cycle. It is important for counselors to pay attention to the unique needs of the individual clients they serve, while also keeping in mind these common challenges and experiences that may arise.
For this Homework, use the Sexuality in Adulthood Across the Family Life Cycle chart provided in this week's Learning Resources to describe both:
a) At least two common sexuality-related transitions or concerns at each stage.
b) At least two examples of how research and theory characterize positive sexual functioning during each stage.
The family life-cycle stages you will consider for this homework are:
o Single adulthood
o Committed, long-term relationships
o Becoming parents
o Divorce/relationship termination and remarriage/re-partnering
o Older adulthood
Task (2- to 3-page paper):
For the five family life-cycle stages:
1. Describe two common sexuality-related transitions or concerns at each stage.
2. Provide two examples of how research and theory characterize positive sexual functioning during each stage.
3. Briefly describe how you might intervene or use this information to assist clients.
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Required Resources
a. Course Text: Murray, C., Pope, A., & Willis, B. (2017). Sexuality counseling: Theory, research, and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage
• Chapter 5, "Lifespan Development and Sexuality"
• Chapter 8, "Sexuality and Intimate Relationships"
b. Article: Aalgaard, R. A., Bolen, R. M., & Nugent, W. R. (2016). A literature review of forgiveness as a beneficial intervention to increase relationship satisfaction in couples therapy. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 26(1), 46-55. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
c. Article: Brotto, L. A., Chivers, M. L., Millman, R. D., & Albert, A. (2016). Mindfulness-Based sex therapy improves genital-subjective arousal concordance in women with sexual desire/arousal difficulties. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 45(8), 1907-1921. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
d. Article: Faircloth, C. (2015). Negotiating intimacy, equality, and sexuality in the transition to parenthood. SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH ONLINE, 20(4). Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.