Final answer:
The U.S. labor force participation rate has shown fluctuating patterns, not a constant or steady trend. The unemployment rate has risen during recessions but generally falls back to 4-6% in strong economies, showing no long-term upward trend. The large entry of women into the labor force since the 1970s, with wages sticky downwards, likely affected wage rates and unemployment, initially causing some disruption before market adjustments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trends in U.S. labor force participation rate do not show a constant increase, steady decrease, or a sudden surge. Instead, they have shown fluctuating patterns (C), with variations due to economic cycles, demographic shifts, policy changes, and societal trends. For example, the participation rate increased significantly when a large number of women entered the labor force from the 1970s through the late 1990s. As for the U.S. unemployment rate, it has experienced rises and falls corresponding to periods of recession and depression, but it has not shown a long-term rising trend. During strong economic periods, the unemployment rate typically reverts to a range of 4% to 6% without falling to zero, despite the population and labor force growth, globalization, and technological advancements.
Specifically, after the 1970s, with the influx of women into the workforce, one would expect the wage rates to be affected due to increased supply of labor. If wages are sticky in a downward direction, it could have led to initial adjustments in the employment and unemployment rates, with potential short-term increases in unemployment until the market adjusted to the new labor force dynamics.