What trend was observed in family size during the urban-industrial era?

During the urban-industrial era, family size saw a significant decrease. This trend can be attributed to several interrelated factors associated with urbanization and industrialization. As people moved from rural areas to cities for work, the need for larger families, which had been useful for agricultural labor, diminished. Economic changes led families to adjust to smaller living spaces and higher costs of living in urban settings.

Additionally, as labor began to shift from agriculture to industrial jobs, childhood labor laws and educational reforms encouraged families to prioritize education over having many children. The emphasis on providing children with a better standard of living also played a role in families choosing to have fewer offspring.

Moreover, advancements in healthcare and family planning contributed to the decline in family size, as they allowed families to have greater control over reproduction. This was a key shift from previous eras when larger families were often deemed necessary to ensure that some children would survive into adulthood. Thus, the urban-industrial era showcased a clear trend of decreasing family size.