Explain Duvall’s family life cycle.

Duvall's family life cycle is a theoretical framework developed by Dr. Evelyn Duvall in the 1950s to describe the stages that families typically go through as they evolve over time. This model outlines eight stages of the family life cycle, each characterized by unique challenges, transitions, and developmental tasks. Here is an overview of Duvall's family life cycle:

1. Marriage:
   The first stage begins with the formation of a marital relationship, marked by the wedding ceremony or formal commitment between partners. During this stage, couples establish the foundation of their relationship, negotiate roles and responsibilities, and adjust to the dynamics of married life.

2. Childbearing:
   The second stage focuses on the arrival of children into the family. Couples transition to parenthood, experience the joys and challenges of childbirth and early childcare, and adapt to the demands of raising and nurturing their children.

3. Preschool-aged children:
   The third stage involves caring for preschool-aged children (typically ages 3 to 5). Parents navigate the developmental milestones of their young children, including toilet training, language development, socialization, and early education. This stage often requires parents to balance childcare responsibilities with work and other commitments.

4. School-aged children:
   The fourth stage centers on raising school-aged children (typically ages 6 to 12). Parents support their children's academic, social, and emotional development, facilitate their involvement in extracurricular activities, and navigate the challenges of parenting pre-adolescent children.

5. Teenagers:
   The fifth stage focuses on parenting adolescents (typically ages 13 to 19). Parents navigate the unique challenges of adolescence, including puberty, peer relationships, identity formation, and autonomy-seeking behavior. This stage often involves negotiating boundaries, fostering communication, and providing guidance and support to teenagers as they transition to adulthood.

6. Launching children:
   The sixth stage involves launching children into adulthood. Parents support their children's transition to independence, including pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, and establishing their own households. This stage may involve emotional adjustments for parents as they cope with empty nest syndrome and redefine their roles and identities outside of parenting.

7. Middle-aged parents:
   The seventh stage focuses on the experiences of middle-aged parents as they navigate midlife transitions, such as career changes, relationship dynamics, and health concerns. Parents may reassess their priorities, pursue personal interests, and invest in their own well-being while continuing to support their adult children and aging parents.

8. Aging family members:
   The final stage addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with aging family members. Adult children may take on caregiving roles for aging parents, navigate end-of-life decisions, and cope with grief and loss. Families may also experience transitions related to retirement, relocation, and intergenerational relationships.

Overall, Duvall's family life cycle provides a framework for understanding the developmental stages and transitions that families experience over time. By recognizing the unique tasks and challenges associated with each stage, families can anticipate changes, seek support, and foster resilience as they navigate the complexities of family life.