Why is the modified extended family growing?

Why is the modified extended family growing?

• A. Increased government housing
• B. More divorces
• C. Modern communications and easy transportation maintain closeness despite distance
• D. Emigration

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is that a modified extended family grows when kin are spread out but stay closely connected. Modern communications and easy travel let relatives keep regular contact, visit one another, and share support across distances. Phones, video calls, social media, and inexpensive flights mean being apart doesn’t weaken bonds; it actually allows a larger network of kin to stay involved in each other’s lives. So even though people may live far apart, the extended kin network can expand because distance is no longer a barrier to feeling connected and coordinating help, making the modified extended family bigger and more resilient. Other factors like government housing, higher divorce rates, or emigration can influence family structure in various ways, but they don’t directly explain why close kin networks grow across distance the way improved communication and transportation do.