Final answer:
The correct answer reflects the shift in family dynamics with preteens and teenagers becoming more involved in family decision-making processes as information gatherers, influencers, and purchasers, despite the busy schedules of working or single parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The prevalence of working parents and single-parent households has led to significant changes in family dynamics, especially regarding family decision making. Rather than option (a), the elimination of the purchaser role for most children, or option (c), adults resuming sole control of decision making due to limited family interaction, it is more accurate to say that option (b) reflects the current trend. Preteens and teenagers are increasingly taking on the roles of information gatherers, influencers, decision makers, and purchasers of family products. This shift can be attributed to several factors, including the necessity for collaborative decision making when parents have less time due to work commitments, and the increased savvy of young people with technology and information sources. Option (d) suggests the elimination of the information gatherer due to time constraints, which is contrary to the trend towards collaborative and technologically facilitated decision-making processes in families.