Final answer:
The term 'familial status' in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 protects parents or legal guardians with dependent children, and families or parents with children under 18 from housing discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Familial status,” as defined in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, prohibits housing discrimination against parents or a legal guardian with dependent children, and families or parents with custodial children under the age of 18. This act made it illegal to discriminate against these and other groups in the sale, rental, or financing of housing. Familial status protections were added to the existing Fair Housing Act of 1968 to prevent discrimination against people because they have children in their household. Such protections extend to households including pregnant women or anyone securing legal custody of a child under 18, including adoptive or foster parents. This definition encompasses traditional nuclear families as well as extended family structures, such as children living with grandparents or other relatives, which have become increasingly common.