16. Children and parents

Being a parent is probably the most difficult and demanding job people ever do. It can also be quite a disappointing time for some parents especially if they expected parenthood to be enjoyable all the time, or had unrealistic ideas about having the perfect child. But for most parents it is one of the happiest and most satisfying experiences of their lives.

There are some problems that can make being a parent even more difficult such as lack of money, cramped housing conditions, problems in your relationship.

The most important thing to remember is that there is no one correct way of bringing up a child. Provided their need arc met, children from all different kinds of social, religious or cultural backgrounds can still grow up to be happy, well-adjusted adults. You are the only experts when it comes to bringing up your children.

Divorce

Their marriage ended in divorce. Why? There can be many reasons. Divorce is usually very painful for both sides. Divorce is the official ending of a marriage, declared by a court of law.

Divorce is legal in many countries: in Russia, European countries. It's legal in Britain, though not in Ireland, and can be given for an irretrievable breakdown of a marriage. This can be caused by adultery, cruelty, or desertion and in Britain by two years separation.

In the USA divorce is also legal, though dilTerent states may have different laws about it. In most states one may get a divorce for the same reasons as in Britain, usually after at least one year's separation, and in some states one can get a no-fault divorce, when a person doesn't blame either person.

In both Britain and America the court decides which parent should have custody of the children, how the property is to be divided, and whether one partner, usually the husband, should pay money towards the living costs of the other and children.

17. Traditional weddings

In Britain people get married either in church or in a registry office. In the USA people often get married in a house, a garden, a park, a hotel, or in wedding chapel as well as in church. Most people, when they think of a wedding, think of people getting married in church and the many customs that go with this type of wedding, called a white wedding. Even people who are not religious often want to have a traditional while wedding in a church.

The main people at the wedding

There are some special names for some of the people in the wedding ceremony. The woman who is getting married is called the bride and the man is called the bridegroom or groom. The man chooses a best man, a close man friend or relative to participate in the ceremony and the bride has some girl friends or relatives who are called bridesmaids. The chief bridesmaid at a wedding in the USA is called the maid of honour if she is single, if she is married she is the matron of honour. It is traditional for the bride to wear a long

White dress and a while veil and to carry (lowers in a bouquet. She is also supposed to wear ^something old, something new. something borrowed and something blue» because this will bring her luck, lhc groom wears a suit or lomelimes a tuxedo (in the USA) or morning suit (in Britain). Hveryone else wears their best clothes and die women often buy hats specially.

Before the ceremony The bridegroom is not supposed to see the bride on the day of wedding Until Uiey meet in church as this is considered to be bad luck. The bridegroom ■rrives at the church first and waits inside with the best man. 1 he families of the bride and bridegroom, and the wedding guests, sit in rows in the church. Just before the wedding ceremony begins the bride arrives at the church in a car with Ьег father. The car is usually an expensive one, hired for die occasion and decorated with ribbons.

The ceremony

When the bride and bridegroom are together at die altar the priest or minister begins the wedding service. During the service, the bridegroom gives the bride a wedding ring and says: «With this ring 1 thee wcd» («With this ring I marry you»). Sometimes the bride also gives a ring to the bridegroom. The priest or minisier asks the bride and bridegroom in turn: «Will you have this man (or woman) to be your wedded husband (or wife)?» The bride and the groom each say: «I will» At the end of the ceremony the priest or minister says: "I pronounce you man and wife" which means that they arc officially married. The bride and bridegroom then sign the register, a special book which is the official record of their marriage.

After the ceremony Outside the church the friends of the bride and groom throw confetti or rice over diem. Photographs are usually taken о I the bride and bridegroom and their families and friends.

The reception

The wedding reception usually takes place in a hotel. People have a special meal (wedding breakfast) and a party to celebrate the wedding. During the meal the bride and bridegroom cut the wedding cake and give it to their guests. At the end of the meal there are speeches and toasts made by the bride's father, the bridegroom and the best man. Immediately after the reception die couple usually leave for their honeymoon. The car they drive away in has often been decorated by their friends with the sign «just marricd» and tin cans which are tied to the back of die car. Before she leaves the bride throws her bouquet to her friends to catch. According to custom, the woman who catches it will be the next one who get married.

After marriage many American women lake their husband's last name (family name). Other American women, however, prefer to keep their maiden name. Some American women combine their two names.

Unit 2

Task: Rcail the texts autl comment on their main problems: Retell the texts using the plans of your own.