In End of the Twentieth Century, which description characterizes family structure?

• A. Steep growth of individuals living alone and moderate growth of single-parent households.
• B. No change from earlier periods.
• C. Decline in sole living arrangements.
• D. Increase in multi-generational households.

Answer: (A)

End of the twentieth century saw family life diversify, with more people living alone and more households headed by a single parent. This reflects broader social changes like higher divorce rates, later marriages, more births outside marriage, and greater economic independence for women, all of which push solitary living and single-parent setups into common patterns. That combination best fits the period’s overall shift, which is why the description of a steep rise in individuals living alone alongside a moderate rise in single-parent households makes the most sense. The other patterns—no change from earlier periods, a decline in sole living arrangements, or a notable increase in multi-generational households—do not align as well with the dominant trend of increasing solo and single-parent living.