Human Life Cycle

Human Life Cycle

Introduction

The human life cycle encompasses several life altering patterns, issues, and challenges. These areas can determine the extent to which families can cope and successfully survive. This paper will address the description of each familial experience faced, the factors affecting them, and the survival efforts to maintain family stability. This will include mental, physical, social, and emotional factors influencing their environment.

An overview of each stage is as follows:

v Infancy (Birth - 1 year) Trust vs. mistrust - Nutrition

v Early Childhood (2 - 4 years) Initiative vs. guilt - Locomoting

v Middle Childhood (5 - 12 years) Identity vs. inferiority - Identity

v Adolescence (13 - 18 years) Identity vs. role confusion - Peer relationships

v Young Adulthood (19 - 30 years) Intimacy vs. isolation - Love relationships

v Middle Adulthood (30 - years) Generatively vs. stagnation -Time

v Later Adulthood (60 - years) Integrity vs. despair - Acceptance

The description of each stage will be applied to the parental challenges

experienced. Discussion will target a young, healthy, single parent with one normal developed offspring. Family income is below the poverty level and there are limited community resources available.

Infancy

Trust versus mistrust during infancy refers to the consistency of experience that leads to trust. Caregivers are crucial in this stage of life. Inadequate or negative care may result in mistrust. It is important to remember that from conception everything the mother does affects her unborn child.

Various factors can influence the development of a healthy infant. Proper nutrition is of vital importance for the mother and child. Smoking habits, age, alcohol consumption, and drugs are just a few of the negative factors that can stunt an infant's healthy development. "A poor diet can also affect the development of the central nervous system of the fetus and leave the newborn vulnerable to disease" (Kail et at., 1996).

"Poor nutrition can result in premature birth, low birth rate, and a high mortality rate (Kail et al., 1996). As stated by Perloff and Jeffee (1999) prenatal care is important and can begin the process of healthy parenting:

Because it provides social workers and other health professionals with the opportunities to identify pregnant women who are at risk of premature or low weight births, and to deliver the medical, nutritional, educational, or psychosocial interventions that can promote positive pregnancy outcomes. (p. 117)

Maybe options such as breastfeeding or bottle feedings seem insignificantly personal, it is through information and education that I can provide as family life educator that the realization of several determining factors become relevant. The first few years of a child's life are extremely significant in the healthy development of that child for the years to come.

Although accessibility to health care may render some difficulty, workers can help provide adequate insurance and other medical car through Medicaid. As a family life educator, I can give additional support through the provisions of information; inclusive of literature, lectures, class sessions, and other resources that aid in additional questions, concerns, or insecurities.

Because things can become progressively difficult even as a healthy child grows, good parenting remains important. With their needs met appropriately an infant's motor and physical behavior, play activities, adaptive behavior, social responses and language development should continually progress. Regularly schedule3d medical appointments for check-ups and immunizations are important for the physical well being of the child but the impact of social and economic forces can inhibit their growth as well. Children need positive affection, time, and attention from the people around them. It is important to provide a child with a safe and secure environment. Their relationships with others should be positive and encouraging, stimulating and affectionate, filled with patience and love. As stated by Harris (1991), "parents should understand their children's progress and development"(p.42).

"The resources available to family are directly affected by the ensuing social forces"(Zastrow, 2001). Each family and child is different, poverty-stricken families are less able to provide, but they can do so with adequate resources. It is mandatory that the basic needs of an infant be met for successful developmental growth.

Childhood

During the beginning of this stage initiative versus guilt can be identified. This stage is recognized by a child's freedom to engage in activities, to become familiar and

fascinated with the world around them. As they begin to "have active imaginations and are eager to learn" (Zastrow p. 278), the middle childhood stage can be identified. This stage is recognized by the locomotive activity of the child. Being permitted to make and do things and being praised for accomplishment leads to initiative and identity. Limitations on activities and criticism of what is done leads to inferiority.

Within lower income families there may be negative, restrictive stipulations placed on a child's activity due to environmental factors. Hinde (1986) states, "Encouragement promotes growth, whereas harsh treatment will result in feelings of guilt". Because a low-income single parent household has several demands and stresses including issues of finance, food, shelter and transportation, the activity of a busy child may seem overwhelming. Knowing that the child's age, stage, and activity are in developmental correctness can be a relief. But, because a child at this age requires additional time, attention, and patience alternative support can be given to the parent to help maintain a healthy balance. Support for physical and mental health care, childcare, housing support, food assistance, alternative transportation and parental educational and support groups would be aide in a healthier relationship and environment for parent and child.

The healthy state of a parent begins the socialization process of a child. "Socialization is the process of teaching children the values, roles, and behaviors of their culture"