Final answer:
The false statement is that 'Since 1960, the divorce rate in the U.S. has increased by 250 percent.' Recent trends show that divorce rates have decreased and are now similar to those in 1970.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about divorce that is FALSE is: 3) Since 1960, the divorce rate in the U.S. has increased by 250 percent. This statement is not accurate when examining the trends in divorce over the past several decades. Although there was a significant increase in divorce rates following the liberalization of divorce laws in the 1960s and as more women entered the workforce, recent statistics show that divorce rates have been declining and are now comparable to those in 1970.
Another contributing factor to the decreasing divorce rates is an increase in the age at which people marry, as well as an increase in their level of education, both associated with greater marital stability. Additionally, it's worth noting that while the creation of new households through divorce may stimulate some retail purchases, it does not inherently mean there will always be a significant boost in retail activity.