In the family life cycle, which stage denotes the couple with no children at home while both still in the labor force?

• A. Empty nest stage one
• B. Full nest stage two
• C. Solitary survivor in labor force
• D. Empty nest stage two

Answer: (A)

In the family life cycle, the term empty nest refers to the point when there are no children living at home. It has two sub-stages: early empty nest, where both spouses are still in the labor force, and late empty nest, where both are typically out of the labor force (retired). The situation described—no children at home while both spouses are still in the workforce—fits the early empty nest. The other options don’t line up: full nest stage would involve children at home; a solitary survivor in the labor force describes a different family scenario, often involving a surviving spouse rather than the current status of the children; empty nest stage two would imply both are no longer in the labor force.