Final answer:
The family life cycle typically relates to c) marital status and the age of children, reflecting a series of predictable stages that a family goes through, which include changes in structure and needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The family life cycle is most typically based on marital status and age of children. This concept is a set of predictable steps and patterns families experience over time. Sociologists use this framework to study the dynamics of families, which includes the various stages and transitions that a family undergoes, such as marriage, childbirth, raising children, and reaching the empty nest phase. The original design by Paul Glick in 1955 outlined a sequential approach to family development, but in response to criticisms, more fluid models like the family life course have been developed to better reflect the diverse dynamics of modern family life.
Marketing researchers may also find the family life cycle a useful model for predicting consumer behavior, as needs and purchasing habits change with the different stages of family life.