Final answer:
Economic inequality in the post-industrial society, particularly in the United States, has been increasing due to changes in household structures and the widening gap in wage inequality, marked by 'winner take all' labor markets.
Step-by-step explanation:
In our post-industrial society, economic inequality has generally been increasing. This trend is not singular to the United States, but has been more pronounced in the U.S. economy compared to many other countries. The reasons for this increase are often attributed to two main factors that have evolved since the 1970s. First, there have been changes in the structure of American households, which include diverse family compositions that can affect household income dynamics. Second, there has been a rise in inequality of wages, which is sometimes described by economists as 'winner take all' labor markets. This term signifies that a small percentage of the workforce secures a disproportionately large share of the total income, while the majority sees little to no income growth. The decline in the size, income, and wealth of the middle class along with starkly rising corporate profits and CEO pay exemplifies the widening income gap.