What question did this study set out to answer?

This work aims to explore the rationale behind using the term 'lifespan progression' in Family and Consumer Sciences instead of traditional terms.

June 1, 2026

Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge – Lifespan Progression

Key Points

This work aims to explore the rationale behind using the term 'lifespan progression' in Family and Consumer Sciences instead of traditional terms.
Engagement in a revisioning process led by the BOK Taskforce.
Consideration of existing terminology related to human development and family transitions.
Lifespan progression is proposed to reflect both individual growth and family evolution.
The term aligns better with the diverse stages families face across time.

Abstract

With the unveiling of the 2025 FCS Body of Knowledge one question raised was regarding use of the term Lifespan Progression rather than human development or lifespan development. Here is a little bit about what led to that decision. The job given to the BOK Taskforce was essentially to engage in a revisioning process to convey an updated Body of Knowledge that would take us into the next decade and beyond. Lifespan development has been used for decades to focus on human development, but not for family stages and transitions. It was for that reason that consideration was given to finding a term that addresses both. The term “lifespan progression” offers a nuanced and integrative lens that is especially well-suited for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), because it captures both individual development and family evolution across time.

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