Final answer:
Option E diverges from the other statements' focus on financial demands and upward mobility of the 'Black Diamonds.' Consumers increased their spending on higher education during the Great Recession due to the perceived link between education and prosperity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's points about the 'Black Diamonds' reflect an upwardly mobile, fast-growing African middle class with increasing demands on the cost of life-course events and higher education. Though all the provided points relate to financial aspects of the 'Black Diamonds,' option E ('Some of the author's informants wanted to get married to escape the trap of conspicuous consumption associated with marriage') seems out of context since it discusses a contrary behavior to the consumption trend, instead of the expenditures or demands of the middle class.
During the Great Recession, consumers worldwide increased their spending in one specific category - higher education. This surge in education spending, supported by data from UNESCO, is attributed to the belief that higher education paves the way to prosperity, and increased earnings are perceived as a significant benefit of attending college. Despite economic hardships, there is a sense of mandatory investment in education and significant life events, suggesting that education is prioritized even in lean times.