Which statement about ideal family size is consistent with the material?

• A. Three or more
• B. Zero, one, or two
• C. One
• D. None

Answer: (B)

Ideal family size is the number of children a person or couple would prefer to have, not necessarily the number they end up with. The material describes a tendency toward smaller families, with factors like the cost of raising children, urban living, and greater access to education and contraception shaping these preferences. The statement zero, one, or two best fits because it reflects this common preference for small families and includes those who want no children as well as those who want one or two. Choosing three or more suggests a larger desired family than the material indicates, while selecting only one is too narrow to capture the typical range of preferences, and none would imply no desire for children at all, which doesn’t align with the usual pattern described.