Sociologist Dr. Mensah argues that intergenerational transmission of wealth in many societies is more strongly shaped by parents' direct financial transfers to adult children than by the inheritance of formal estates after death, contrary to the common emphasis on inheritance.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support Dr. Mensah's argument?
- A
Some families pass down heirlooms with sentimental value.
- B
Many countries have laws governing inheritance.
- Ccheck_circle
Surveys show that direct financial transfers from parents to adult children — for housing, education, and business startup — account for a substantially larger share of intergenerational wealth flow than do inherited estates.
- D
Estate planning is a common professional service.
Explanation
A provides the quantitative comparison directly supporting Mensah's claim. B, C, and D are tangential.