In 1896 a Georgia couple suing for damages in the accidental death of

muralis18

Note the following from the passage, paragraph 2
During the 19th century, she argues, the concept of the “useful” child ... gave way gradually to the present-day notion of the “useless” child who ... is yet considered emotionally “priceless.” Well established among segments of the middle and upper classes by the mid-1800’s, this new view of childhood spread throughout society in the late-19th and early-twentieth centuries

During the 19th century, the concept of the emotionally priceless child developed.

Hi Experts,
I agree that there is no mention of the 'attitudes toward reform movements', but I am not very clear why option B for question 6 is incorrect.
If i am not wrong, the nature of industry is nowhere mentioned, there is only mention of the 'maturing industrial economy'.

For Zelizer the origins of this transformation were many and complex. The gradual erosion of children’s productive value in a maturing industrial economy,
...
Yet “expulsion of children from the ‘cash nexus,’ although clearly shaped by profound changes in the economic, occupational, and family structures,” Zelizer maintains,

It shows that nature of occupation/industry/economy changed and that had a role to play in the transformation.
'Maturing industrial economy' means the industry was maturing (perhaps using more skilled labour etc.) Hence the nature of the industry did have an impact.

The question is asking which of the given alternative explanations for the change in the cash value of children during the nineteenth century would be most likely to be put forward by sociological economists as they are described in the passage. According to the passage, sociological economists tend to view all human behaviors as directed primarily by the principle of maximizing economic gain.

Option (B) states that:

This option focuses on the expected earnings of children over their lifetime as a factor that influenced the increase in their cash value. Expected earnings are directly related to economic gain, as they represent the potential future income that an individual can generate. Since this option focuses on economic gain, it is most likely to be put forward by sociological economists as an explanation for the change in the cash value of children.

The other options focus on factors such as emotional investment, humanitarian ideals, compulsory education laws, and changes in negligence law. While these factors may have played a role in the change in the cash value of children, they are not directly related to economic gain. Therefore, these options are less likely to be put forward by sociological economists as explanations for the change in the cash value of children.

1. It can be inferred from the passage that accidental-death damage awards in America during the nineteenth century tended to be based principally on the (A) earnings of the person at the time of death.
The passage mentions that in 1896, the Georgia couple was told that there was no liability for damages because the child had made no real economic contribution to the family. This suggests that the awards were based principally on the earnings of the person at the time of death.
2. It can be inferred from the passage that in the early 1800s children were generally regarded by their families as individuals who (C) were important to the economic well-being of a family.
The passage states that during the nineteenth century, the concept of the "useful" child who contributed to the family economy gradually gave way to the present-day notion of the "useless" child who was emotionally "priceless." This indicates that in the early 1800s, children were generally regarded as individuals important to the economic well-being of a family.
3. The alternative explanation of the change in the cash value of children that would be most likely put forward by sociological economists, as described in the passage, is (B) The cash value of children rose during the nineteenth century because their expected earnings over the course of a lifetime increased greatly.
The passage mentions that the gradual erosion of children's productive value in a maturing industrial economy, decline in child mortality rates, and the development of the companionate family were factors critical in changing the assessment of children's worth. This implies that the cash value of children rose because their expected earnings over a lifetime increased greatly.
4. The primary purpose of the passage is to (B) present the central thesis of a recent book.
The passage introduces Viviana Zelizer's book, Pricing the Priceless Child, and discusses the transformation in social values regarding the worth of children. It presents the central thesis of the book and provides background information on the subject.
5. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following statements was true of American families over the course of the nineteenth century? (C) Family members became more emotionally bonded to one another.
The passage mentions the development of the companionate family, where members were united by explicit bonds of love rather than duty. This suggests that family members became more emotionally bonded to one another.
6. Zelizer refers to all of the following as important influences in changing the assessment of children's worth EXCEPT changes in (D) attitudes toward reform movements.
The passage mentions that changes in the mortality rate, the nature of industry, and the nature of the family were all factors critical in changing the assessment of children's worth. However, it does not mention changes in attitudes toward reform movements as an influence.
7. The practice of sociological economics as described in the passage would be most consistent with (C) arguing that most decisions about marriage and divorce are based on rational assessments of the likelihood that each partner will remain committed to the relationship.
The passage describes sociological economics as analyzing traditionally sociological topics solely in terms of their economic determinants. It mentions that these sociologists tend to view human behaviors as directed primarily by the principle of maximizing economic gain. Analyzing decisions about marriage and divorce based on rational assessments of commitment likelihood aligns with this perspective.

GMATNinja - Is my reasoning for eliminating D correct?

The last para implies that children's "exchange" or "surrender" value is conversion value of their intangible worth into cash terms. AC D seems to imply that cash value is the exchange value of a child in "some market". Hence incorrect.

B implies that cash-value is value of their intangible worth in cash terms.