Developmental Theory/ Life Course Theory

I think family and marriage can best be explained by the developmental/life course theory. I feel acknowledging the different roles and responsibilities we inherit at different stages is relevant to how we move forward in life. Thus, the role and/or responsibilities we have at a specific time encourages us to get married or perhaps go back to school to get a higher degree and wait off on children. With the theory having micro and macro approaches to describe family relationships and stages, I believe we are able to better understand how family and marriage can stem from a personal choice, but also be heavily influenced by the economy or sources outside of our personal control. I chose this image because it reminds me that not one route is right for every person; we all develop and go through different stages at different times therefore affecting how we move towards the stage of "marriage and family."