Daily Quick Fix – 3

Family life is changing. Two-parent households are on the decline in the United States as divorce, remarriage and cohabitation are on the rise. And families are smaller now, both due to the growth of single-parent households and the drop in fertility. Not only are Americans having fewer children, but the circumstances surrounding parenthood have changed. While in the early 1960s babies typically arrived within a marriage, today four-in-ten births occur to women who are single or living with a non-marital partner. At the same time that family structures have transformed, so has the role of mothers in the workplace – and in the home. As more mums have entered the labour force, more have become breadwinners – in many cases, primary breadwinners – in their families.

household - all the people in a family or group who live together in a house.
A household is composed of one or more people who occupy a housing unit. Not all households contain families. Under the U.S. Census Bureau definition, family households consist of two or more individuals who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption, although they also may include other unrelated people.

// I grew up in a large household, with three brothers and three sisters.

// Families are classified by the occupation of the head of the household (=the person who earns the most money and is most respected in a house).

// Most households now own at least one car.
// The average household spends more on housing than on food.
// young people from low-income households
// a one-parent/single-parent/two-parent household
// families with a male/female head of household
// Household incomes have remained stagnant.
// Who does most of the household chores?

on the decline - If something is in decline or on the decline, it is gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power.
// Thankfully the smoking of cigarettes is on the decline.
// Now, many young people are actually opting not to get married. Marriage rates are on the decline.

There is a small difference between "in decline" and "on the decline", but they’re often used interchangeably in casual conversation. Still, here's a clear breakdown of their typical use and nuance:

✅ "In decline"

Meaning: Describes something that is already experiencing a continuous drop or worsening state — it's a condition or state.

🔹 Often used like an adjective or to describe a general state over time.

Examples:

• "Birth rates are in decline across many developed countries."

• "The company has been in decline since the early 2000s."

🧠 Think of it like: “It is currently in a declining state.”

✅ "On the decline"

Meaning: Suggests that something has started to decline or is in the process of declining — a bit more dynamic or recent in tone.

🔹 Often used to describe a trend that’s beginning or actively progressing.

Examples:

• "Interest in traditional TV is on the decline."

• "Public trust in the government is on the decline."

🧠 Think of it like: “It is moving downward.”

🆚 Summary:

🎯 C1 Comparison Example:

• "The newspaper industry is in decline, and subscriptions have dropped significantly over the past decade."

• "Newspaper readership is on the decline, especially among young adults."

on the rise - increasing in amount, number, level, etc.
// Prices are on the rise again.
// The water level in the lake is on the rise
// prices were on the rise
// The company has been on the rise over the last few years.