Final answer:
The statement is false; U.S. family structures have evolved significantly, with a decrease in nuclear families and an increase in diverse family arrangements reflecting changing societal attitudes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the typical family structure has remained surprisingly stable during the past two decades is false. Modern U.S. family configurations have seen significant changes. Census data indicates that there has been a decline in the percentage of children living in a nuclear family structure, with 77 percent in 1980, dropping to 66 percent by 2010. Additionally, there has been an increase in the diversity of family structures, including single-parent households, unmarried cohabiting parents, and extended family living situations.
Research shows that while a large majority of Americans may consider the husband, wife, and children combination as constituting a family, the reality is that less than 70 percent of U.S. children live under such arrangements, pointing to a broader acceptance of various nontraditional family structures. In contrast to past decades, a "typical" family could now be composed of different configurations, reflecting society's more inclusive view of what defines a family.
Gone are the days where a single-family model continues to be a norm. These changes reflect society's evolving attitudes and the recognition of different family structures in U.S. culture.