Final answer:
The trend toward smaller families, known as the demographic transition, is prevalent in many industrial societies due to the shift from rural to urban living, changes in work nature, and educational requirements. However, the United States has its own unique pattern, partly due to rural-to-urban migration, healthcare advancements, and economic factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The trend toward smaller families in industrial societies can generally be observed, with some exceptions such as the United States. This phenomenon, known as the demographic transition, stems from various changes in society as countries industrialize. Factors such as later marriages to avoid early childbearing, influenced by religious beliefs in Europe, contributed to declining birth rates since the 1870s. The change in nature of work had a significant impact on family size; as children's labor decreased in value and schooling became compulsory, raising children became more expensive. This shift towards smaller families was also encouraged by the move from rural to urban areas, where space and resources were more limited.
The United States has seen a variable pattern, with a historic population growth and periods of decline influenced by events such as the Civil War and the Great Depression. Despite the historic trend of smaller family sizes in industrialized societies, the U.S. has experienced its own unique demographic shifts. As Americans moved from rural areas to cities, family sizes began to decrease; this was further encouraged by improvements in healthcare, the use of birth control, and the rising costs associated with raising children.