A Framework for Life-Span Family Life Education

Abstract

Family life educators have expected a great deal from definitions of family life education. Given the breadth and complexity of family life education it appears that a definition of family life education may be necessary but is not sufficient to clarify the field adequately. The Framework for Life-Span Family Life Education presented here is 1 step toward the clarification and specification of the contednt of family life education. Several principles guiede the development of the Famework 1st it was intended that the Framework would reflect a broad conception of family life education. 2nd its was believed that the Framework should include all dimensions of learning: Knowledge attitudes and skills. Finally the Framework was designed to reflect the assumption that people of all ages need to learn about the many aspects of family life. This Framework may be used in several wasy to advance the practice of family life education. 1 obvious use is that of program development. The Framework also provides a sustematic means by which educators mainht assess the breadth of content in a family life program. This Framework builds upon earlier difinitions of family life education and helps to clarify the nature of the field. The specification of appropriate content for life-span programs meets a critical need in ther field and should help to advance both the practgice and sholarship of family life education.