Final answer:
The group referred to as starting families and likely to be in the market for household products and homes is the Gen Xers. Baby Boomers, while influential in market trends previously, are now older and not the demographic that is starting families.
Step-by-step explanation:
The demographic referred to in the statement as starting families and being prime targets for homes and durable household products such as appliances, furniture, and gardening equipment and tools is Gen Xers (c). Generational cohorts are typically characterized by specific age ranges and unique social characteristics. The Baby Boomers, for instance, born between 1946 and 1964, are now reaching their 60s and 70s and have heavily influenced market trends throughout their lives. However, this group is now beyond the traditional family-starting age. The Gen X cohort follows the Boomers and is currently in the age range where many are establishing or have already established their families, hence being more likely to need household products and homes. It is also important to note that Social Security and Medicare are governmental programs that assist the elderly (d), which implies a focus on a much older demographic than the one referenced in the initial question.