•Families time can be measured in seasons of death and life, planting and harvest, new and old, or plenty and scarcity.
•Families can also measure time in the life cycle of a family. (i.e. newly wed couple, child rearing years, empty nest years, and old age.
Characterized as continuous
•This view of time stipulates revolving cycles of development.
•For examples families who measure time as circular have strong views of reincarnation, seasonal changes, and the importance of patterns in the family history.
•While linear time cautions families about irreversible mistakes. The circular -time family is aware that the natural order of things will set everything in balance again.
Circular
Time View as a journey forward
•This view compels families to see time as separated by past, present, future.
•Decisions made in anyone of these phases can affect the other phases.
•Linear-time families can learn from mistake but can never undo what was done in the past.
Characterized by compartments
•The linear view of time celebrates distinctive measures.
•Instead of an event or person portrayed as connected to the larger picture, idiosyncratic achievements and traits are celebrated.