Which of the following statements best describes the primary critique of family development theory regarding applicability to family forms?

• A. It is mainly descriptive of intact, two-parent, heterosexual nuclear families.
• B. It applies equally well to diverse family structures.
• C. It ignores normative stages altogether.
• D. It focuses exclusively on non-traditional families.

Answer: (A)

Family development theory is built around a traditional family pattern, often outlining stages that assume an intact, two‑parent, heterosexual nuclear family at its core. The main critique is that this framework centers such a “typical” family form and uses it as the baseline for expected life-course milestones. Because many families today are single-parent, blended, same-sex, or multi-generational, the stage-based progression it proposes may not fit their experiences. That mismatch is why describing the theory as mainly descriptive of intact, two-parent, heterosexual nuclear families best captures the critique.

The other statements aren’t accurate reflections of the critique: the theory does not ignore normative stages (it emphasizes them), it does not focus exclusively on non-traditional families, and it does not claim equally broad applicability to all family forms.