4. With a partner and then with the group, discuss the following questions. If necessary, listen to the report again.

1. The report addresses the problem common to many cultures. How would you formulate it? What factors aggravate it and make it difficult to resolve?

2. The reports mention only women who care for their aging relatives and calls them ‘caught in the middle of two generations.” Why, do you think?

3. What problems do aging people experience as is given in the report?

4. What strain, physical and moral, does full-time caring take its toll on loving daughters? Give examples from the report.

5. What lesson does the experience of caring for your old nearest and dearest teach caretakers?

6. Are there any other alternatives of dealing with this problem?

5. Do you know that about 25% of the world’s people live in societies where husbands can have more than one wife? Such a practice is called polygamy.

L ook at this picture and read the accompanying text. Any comment?

Polygamy is a form of marriage in which a person has more than one spouse. Although multiple marriage is not legally recognized in the United States, some Americans have polygamous relationships. This family in Nevada consists of a husband with ten wives and several children.

Listening comprehension

1. You are going to listen to what a Ugandan woman says about polygamy in her country. First look at the words you will hear and make sure you understand them.

compound, n (here) – an area that contains a group of buildings and is surrounded by a fence or wall.

rotate, v (here) – alternate, take turns.

2. While listening, write down brief answers to these questions.

1. According to the speaker, why is polygamy practised in Uganda?

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2. How many wives did her father and grandfather have?

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3. What advantages does polygamy have for grown-ups and children? ...................................................................................................

3. Look at the picture of this monogamous family. What culture do you think they come from? Discuss it with a partner.

 Reading Comprehension

1. The text below throws more light on the current family in the United States. Before reading it, look at these words and make sure your understand them.

awareness, n	knowledge or understanding of particular subject or situation.
think back to, phr v	If you think back, you make an effort to remember things that happened to you in the past.
depletion, n	reducing something in size or amount, especially supplies of energy, money or similar.
burden, n	1. a heavy load that you carry; 2. something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about. My elderly mother worries that she's a burden to me.
diminish, v	make or become less. The threat of nuclear war has diminished.
occur, v	happen; take place. The accident occurred at about 3.30.
assign, v	to give out as a task. …assigned homework to the class.
swinger, n	a member of a couple, especially a married couple, who exchanges sexual partners with other couples.
underlying, a	basic, fundamental.
transient, a	a situation that lasts only a short time or is constantly changing.
unheard-of, a	something that has never been known or done; very unusual: He'd dyed his hair, which was almost unheard-of in the 1960s.
consumerism, n	the preoccupation of society with the acquisition of consumer goods. (идеология потребления, потребительство).