Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution altered family structures by moving work outside the home and changing gender roles. It decreased the economic value of children's labor, leading to smaller family sizes, and facilitated urban migration, diminishing extended family support networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution had profound effects on families, particularly in altering the structure of the family unit and the roles of its members. Firstly, it disrupted traditional family life because work moved from a home-based system to factories, requiring long hours spent outside the home. This change led to distinct gender roles, with men working in factories and women taking on full-time domestic responsibilities when possible. Children's labor value also declined as education became more important and child labor laws were introduced, leading to a reduction in family size, especially in middle-class families. Urbanization saw a movement from rural to urban centers, further impacting family dynamics and reducing the support network of extended family members common in villages. Lastly, the mechanization of agriculture reduced the need for farm workers, which facilitated the transition to smaller family sizes and changed economic roles within families.