According to the Fit thesis, what is the primary reason for the family transition from extended to nuclear?

The Fit thesis argues that the primary reason for the transition from extended to nuclear families is economic productivity. This perspective suggests that as societies evolved, particularly with the rise of industrialization, economic structures changed in ways that favored nuclear family units. In an industrial economy, the need for a more mobile and adaptable workforce led families to shift from larger, extended setups—which were more suited to agricultural economies—toward smaller nuclear families that could respond better to the demands of urban and industrial life.

Extended families often functioned well in agrarian societies where labor could be pooled and economies were based on shared resources. However, with industrialization, the focus shifted to individual labor and consumption, making it more efficient for families to operate as smaller units. This transition was also closely tied to the need for workers to relocate for job opportunities and the overall economic demands of urban living, which incentivized a more compact family structure.

Technological advancements and changes in social norms indeed played a role in family dynamics but are not the primary driver highlighted by the Fit thesis. Larger family sizes were more characteristic of earlier, agrarian societies and hence do not explain the transition but rather describe a different familial context. Thus, the emphasis on economic productivity as a central reason aligns with the core ten