What term describes the transition from self-sufficient family units to reliance on external employment?

The accurate term for describing the transition from self-sufficient family units to reliance on external employment is industrialization. Industrialization refers to the process by which economies transform from primarily agrarian and craft-based systems to those dominated by industry and the manufacturing of goods. This shift typically leads families to abandon subsistence farming and self-sufficient livelihoods, as they begin to seek work in factories or other industrial settings.

During industrialization, there is often a migration of populations from rural areas to urban centers where employment opportunities in industry are more abundant. This change not only affects economic structures but also alters social dynamics, as families become more dependent on wages from external jobs rather than producing goods for their own consumption.

While some of the other terms might seem related, they focus on different aspects. Urbanization refers specifically to the movement of people to cities, globalization pertains to the increasing interconnectedness of global economies and cultures, and culturalization is less commonly used in this context and may not refer directly to economic changes. In summary, industrialization accurately encapsulates the shift towards external employment that emerges from the mechanization and mass production characterizing the industrial era.