Which of the following is NOT a source of stress on the elderly's traditional family support systems?

• A. Geographical distance between family members
• B. Increasing economic pressures
• C. Higher fertility rates
• D. Lower divorce and remarriage rates among the elderly

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how different factors affect the ability of a family to support an elderly member. Having more children provides a larger pool of potential caregivers and sources of support, so the burden on any single relative or on the family system as a whole is eased. In other words, higher fertility rates tend to buffer the traditional support network because care duties, time, and financial resources can be shared among more siblings.

Geographical distance makes it harder for family members to help regularly, which strains the system. Increasing economic pressures reduce the resources available for caregiving, also stressing the network. If divorce and remarriage are not common among the elderly, the caregiving network can become more rigid and limited, potentially heightening pressure on those who remain responsible.

So, the factor that does not add stress to the elderly’s traditional family support system is having more children, since it expands the support pool rather than shrinking or complicating it.