Which term describes a family in which both spouses have careers outside the home?

• A. Cohabitation
• B. Household
• C. Dual-career family
• D. Family

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is a family where both adults work outside the home. In sociology, a dual-career family specifically describes a household in which both spouses pursue paid careers, rather than relying on a single breadwinner. This term highlights the shared economic responsibility and the need to balance work with family and childcare, reflecting changes in gender roles and employment patterns.

This differs from the other terms because cohabitation just means living together without necessarily being married, a household refers to the dwelling unit that people live in, and family is a broader kinship group that doesn’t by itself specify both partners’ employment outside the home. The phrase dual-career family best captures the scenario described.