Final answer:
True, life cycle patterns significantly contribute to inequality across age groups, with patterns of living involving energy partitioning that affects survival and reproduction, and human economic outcomes largely shaped by available opportunities during life stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that life cycle patterns create substantial inequality across age groups is generally considered to be true. Life history strategies, which are patterns of living that species evolve through natural selection, involve the partitioning of energy for growth, maintenance, and reproduction. These strategies result in different reproductive times and frequencies, influencing survival rates and size at reproductive age. Additionally, in human societies, the economic outcomes of individuals are deeply affected by the opportunities available to them throughout their life cycle. A child who grows up with access to quality education and supportive family is likely to have better economic prospects than one who does not. This is reiterated by the fact that age structures in economically developed countries show a larger ratio of young to old individuals, indicating these nations have resources that allow for better support throughout the life cycle, whereas economically undeveloped countries have greater proportions of children and fewer elderly, which can reflect limited resources and support across various life stages.