What is demographic transition and how does it relate to family structure changes?

• A. A shift in population size due to migration that affects only urban areas.
• B. A shift from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as societies industrialize; it relates to smaller family sizes, later marriage, and changes in kinship patterns.
• C. A temporary surge in birth rates during economic booms.
• D. A policy framework that increases wages for families.

Answer: (B)

Demographic transition describes the move from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as societies industrialize and modernize. This shift is linked to changes in family structure: with lower infant mortality and greater economic security, families tend to have fewer children; education and work opportunities, especially for women, lead to later marriage and longer gaps between births; urban living and smaller housing encourage more nuclear rather than extended households, reshaping kinship networks and intergenerational roles. The other options miss this broad, long‑term pattern and its impact on how families are formed and organized.