American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

At what stage of the family life cycle is the youngest child six years or older?

1. Full nest stage 1

2. Full nest stage 2

3. Empty nest stage 1

4. Bachelor stage

The correct answer is: Full nest stage 2

In the context of the family life cycle, the correct choice indicates that the youngest child being six years or older corresponds to Full Nest Stage 2. This stage typically describes families with children who are in early childhood or elementary school, which aligns with the age specified. During this stage, families are often more established in their routines, responsibilities, and interactions, reflecting the developmental needs and activities of school-aged children. This period is significant as parents may begin to focus on their careers, while also managing the complexities of parenting children who are starting to become more independent through school and extracurricular activities. The other stages, such as Full Nest Stage 1, Empty Nest Stage 1, and the Bachelor stage, do not accurately reflect a scenario in which the youngest child is six years or older, as they pertain to different family dynamics, life changes, and contributing factors.