Life Course Theory Applied to an Iraqi Refugee's Story

Life Course Framework and Key Concepts

The life course perspective is primarily focused on analyzing people's lives and the changes that occur between different periods. These changes may be cultural or social, but what is essential is tracing the relationships between those periods. A good example is how one's childhood affects adolescence and how adolescence, in turn, shapes adulthood. The life course theory is gaining popularity as a valuable framework for studying the pathways of different organizations, families, and even social movements (Hutchison, 2018).

Cohorts, Transitions, and Trajectories Defined

Researchers and social workers who rely on life course theory apply the following concepts to explain growth and change: cohorts, transitions, trajectories, life events, and turning points.

Life course researchers whose primary focus is the historical context of development prefer the cohort concept. A cohort is defined as a group of people whose birth dates can be traced to the same historical period, who share common experiences, and who are roughly the same age. Population pyramids are a useful way to visualize cohort configurations. Pyramid charts represent a percentage of a population organized by age group, making it easier to identify a cohort of interest. Population pyramids differ from country to country. In rapidly growing countries like Kenya, most of the population is young, unlike slow-growing countries such as the United States, where most people are older. A higher proportion of older residents can attract younger adults from other countries to fill workforce needs (Hutchison, 2018).

Life course theory views human life as a process that moves through different stages. Each person undergoes several changes characterized by the exit from previous roles and the adoption of new behaviors. A clear example of this is how a person starts school, completes a degree, begins a career, and eventually retires. Other changes — social, cultural, or structural — occur in parallel with these common milestones. Some changes may be difficult to notice because they are gradual, while others, such as shifts in citizenship or health status, are readily observable. Transitions can have either positive or negative effects: marriages and births are typically joyful, while divorces and deaths bring grief and stress.

Health professionals have benefited considerably from the study of transitions, particularly when trying to understand role changes in families that arise from caring for older adults. Transition concepts have also gained traction in analyses of migration and immigration. A family member's departure or the arrival of a new member automatically triggers role changes, which constitute a transition. Similarly, college graduates immediately take on new roles — whether as researchers, teachers, or departmental assistants (Hutchison, 2018).

The changes that happen within an individual are discrete: when they occur, an older chapter of human life closes and a new one opens. Not all changes happen quickly; some transitions unfold over time, and a single change may involve a series of smaller transitions. Consider the process one undergoes before becoming a licensed social worker. The transitions embedded in that trajectory include licensing examinations, promotions, and job changes. Trajectories are not straight lines, but looking back on a career path can reveal patterns that may be used to anticipate future direction or continuity (Hutchison, 2018).