Final answer:
Manufacturing in the US has shifted significantly over the past several decades, moving towards service-based industries, influenced by globalization, increased automation, and competition from foreign manufacturers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Manufacturing in the US has changed notably over the past few decades, with the correct answer to the student's question being C) Shifted towards service-based industries. This shift is a result of several factors, including globalization, automation, and changes in economic focus. The significance of manufacturing in the US economy has also been impacted by the increased competition from foreign producers, leading to a loss of jobs to countries with lower labor costs.
The landscape of the American job market has shifted due to the force of globalization as companies seek to become more competitive. With outsourcing and offshoring practices, manufacturing jobs have moved to places such as Mexico and China. At the same time, automation has led to an increase in productivity while requiring fewer manual laborers. As a result, there's been a pivot towards service-oriented roles and a decrease in the proportion of workers belonging to unions, influenced in part by stronger workplace protection laws.