Investigating the changing identities of families in different stages of the family life cycle

The aim of this study was to investigate families located at different stages of the family life cycle. In this research, a qualitative approach and contextual method have been used. The statistical population is couples living in Karaj that 80 people were selected by purposive sampling method, so 20 people were assigned to each period of life cycle. (Except for the empty nest stage). Qualitative data were collected through library studies and semi-structured interviews. In this section, data were analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding, which led to the identification of 20 indicators and 5 components. The results showed that the family life cycle has different stages that despite the common features that the stages have with each other; Each stage has special characteristics that can represent that stage of the family life cycle. In general, it can be said that the worries of life in the early stages of life are knowing the spouse and reaching a common point of view. As children reach adulthood, economic concerns such as education and marriage costs become a priority, and ultimately in old age, parental health is their top priority at every stage of the life cycle, so that the family can continue to function and reorganize in the role and Requires rules. Among these factors such as women's employment, life satisfaction, marital satisfaction are very important in the life cycle.