According to Smith and Hamon, family stages are associated with changes in which factors?

• A. Family size, oldest child's age, and breadwinner's work status
• B. Only family size
• C. Only oldest child's age
• D. Only breadwinner's work status

Answer: (A)

Smith and Hamon describe family stages as a pattern of coordinated changes across several aspects of a family. As a family moves through stages, the number of people in the household tends to change, the oldest child’s age advances with development, and the breadwinner’s work status often shifts to fit new family needs and routines. This combination reflects how stages are tied to a dynamic process rather than a single variable. So, changes occur in all three areas—family size, oldest child’s age, and the breadwinner’s work status. The other options suggest only one factor changes, which misses the fuller, interconnected pattern these stages capture.