Final answer:
During the 1800s to early 1900s, there was a significant shift from rural to urban living as the Industrial Revolution spurred urbanization. Families moved from agrarian lifestyles to urban industrial ones, with technological advances altering work, family dynamics, and socio-economic conditions in the cities. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period from the 1800s to the 1900s marked a critical transition for families in America as they moved from agrarian lifestyles to urban industrial ones. Previously, the economy was largely based on agriculture with most families involved in farming and living in rural areas. However, the advent of the Industrial Revolution brought profound changes to the workforce and livelihoods. With the growth of factories needing labor, there was a drastic shift from rural to urban living as people sought jobs in industrial centers.
Urbanization not only altered where people lived and worked but also led to changes in family dynamics and sizes. The demand for labor in cities and the greater efficiency in farming practices meant that fewer farm workers were needed, propelling the migration towards urban centers for employment opportunities. This shift resulted in a decline in the number of self-employed artisans and an increase in factory wage workers. As a response to the conditions of urban living and the expenses involved in raising a family, there was a decrease in family sizes among the urban working class.
During this era of industrialization, urban culture took precedence over agrarian culture, resulting in social and economic transformations. Personal relationships with local craftsmen and barter systems were replaced by cash transactions and mass-produced goods. Advances in technology and the rise of consumerism also contributed to the cultural shifts, leading to both opportunities and challenges like urban crime and depersonalization. As cities grew, so did the divide between the rich and the poor.
Hence, Option C is correct.