What argument did Laslett and Anderson present regarding convergence?

Laslett and Anderson's work primarily focuses on the evolution of family structures, particularly the transition from extended families to nuclear families. They provided evidence that historically, households were predominantly extended in nature, and over time, there was a shift towards nuclear families in industrial societies. This shift is often referred to as "convergence."

The correct choice highlights their skepticism surrounding the widespread acceptance of this transition, suggesting that they found insufficient historical evidence to support the idea that all societies universally moved from extended to nuclear family structures. Instead, they pointed out that this narrative may not hold true across different cultures and periods, illustrating the complexity of family dynamics rather than a straightforward evolution.

The other choices do not accurately reflect their main argument—supporting the idea of transition from one family type to another, emphasizing the complexity of family over time, or focusing on the significance of matrilineal societies fail to capture the essence of Laslett and Anderson’s critical perspective on the concept of convergence in family structures.