Final answer:
The best-supported conclusion from the graph is that American families found it increasingly difficult to maintain their standard of living, as children became economic burdens and steady work with adequate pay was not guaranteed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conclusion best supported by the information in the graph is that American families found it increasingly difficult to maintain their standard of living. This is evidenced by the fact that, as industrialization progressed and the nature of work changed, children could no longer contribute economically to their families in factories. Instead, they became an expense due to the need for schooling, food, and clothing, which had to be covered by a smaller pool of money. In addition, adult men were the most highly paid, but work was not steady, and low pay was often accompanied by unemployment without a government safety net. This economic instability contributed to the financial difficulties of maintaining a household.