What social impact does HIV have on families?

The correct answer highlights a significant social impact of HIV on families: higher rates of orphaned children. When parents or caregivers become infected with HIV, they may experience severe health deterioration over time, potentially leading to their death. This results in many children losing one or both parents, creating a situation where they become orphans. The increase in orphaned children has profound social implications, as these children may face challenges such as lack of support, limited access to education, and heightened vulnerability to poverty and exploitation.

Additionally, this situation exacerbates existing social issues within communities, such as the strain on extended family members or community services to care for these children. In areas heavily affected by HIV, the rise in orphaned children can lead to a generational cycle of hardship, further impacting societal structures and the well-being of communities as a whole.

Other options, such as increased job opportunities for children, lower infant mortality rates, and increased life expectancy for parents, do not accurately represent the realities faced by families impacted by HIV. The overwhelming burden of caregiving and the loss of adult figures typically hinder the family structure, rather than provide benefits like job opportunities or increased life expectancy.