Which stage occurs when the head of the household has retired?

Which stage occurs when the head of the household has retired?

• A. Empty nest stage one
• B. Empty nest stage two
• C. Retired solitary survivor stage
• D. Solitary survivor in labor force

Answer: (B)

When you study the family life cycle, you’ll see that the empty-nest stages describe what happens after children leave home. The first empty-nest stage happens when the first child moves out, and the parents are adjusting to an altered family role while still often balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The second empty-nest stage occurs after the last child has left home, with the parents entering a period of renewed focus on each other and on new life roles, which often includes retirement for the head of the household. Therefore, retirement of the head of the household in a household with no children at home aligns with empty-nest stage two. The other options depict different aging patterns: a solitary survivor usually refers to one spouse remaining after the other has died, while a survivor who is still in the labor force describes someone who is living alone but continuing to work. These don't fit the scenario of an intact household after all children have left and the head has retired.

When you study the family life cycle, you’ll see that the empty-nest stages describe what happens after children leave home. The first empty-nest stage happens when the first child moves out, and the parents are adjusting to an altered family role while still often balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The second empty-nest stage occurs after the last child has left home, with the parents entering a period of renewed focus on each other and on new life roles, which often includes retirement for the head of the household. Therefore, retirement of the head of the household in a household with no children at home aligns with empty-nest stage two.

The other options depict different aging patterns: a solitary survivor usually refers to one spouse remaining after the other has died, while a survivor who is still in the labor force describes someone who is living alone but continuing to work. These don't fit the scenario of an intact household after all children have left and the head has retired.