Topic 5. Family is a Cradle for an Individual

1. The family is the most basic and ancient of all institutions, and it remains the fundamental social unit in every society.

2. An “ideal” family consists of a husband, a wife, and their dependent children. This particular family pattern, however, is far from typical. A more accurate conception of the family must take account of the many different family forms that have existed or still exist in different cultures.

3. Broadly speaking, the family is a group of people related by blood or law, living together or associating with one another for a common purpose.

4. What characteristics, then, are common to all family forms? First, the family consists of a group of people who are in some way related to one another. Second, the members live together for long periods. Third, the adults assume responsibility for any offspring. We may say, then, that the family is a relatively permanent group of people related by ancestry, marriage, who live together, form an economic unit, and take care of their young.

5. There are many different views on family life. Some people could not do without the support and love of their families. Others say it is the source of most of their problems and anxieties. Whatever the truth is, the family is definitely a powerful symbol. Turn on the television or open a magazine and you will see advertisements featuring happy, balanced families. Politicians often try to win votes by standing for “family values”: respect of parental authority, stability in marriage, chastity and care for the elderly.

6. There are people who say that traditional family is a thing of the past. They see many indications that the family is in decline, in such things as the acceptance of sex before marriage, the increased number of one-parent families, the current high divorce rate and what they see as a lack of discipline within the family. What is a strong family then?

7. People all over the world are trying to learn what makes strong families. Strong happy families share some patterns whether they are rich or poor, black or white. Strong, happy families spend time together, talk about their problems. Members of strong families show each other affection and appreciation and they are also committed to one another. People all over the world cherish the same values about their families.

8. Today, however, families are changing, but they are not disappearing. Families give us a sense of belonging and a sense of tradition. Families give us strength and purpose. Our families show us who we are.

9. The things we need most deeply in our lives – love, communication, respect and good relationships - have their beginnings in the family.

Topic 6. Can Money Buy Happiness?

1. They say money ‘can’t bring you happiness’ but some researchers of Britain and the USA have proved the opposite. Acquiring a large sum of money can be enough to change a person’s outlook on life. Professor Andrew Oswald has found a strong link between financial windfalls and being happy and having much better psychological health. A small amount of money is not going to solve a major health problem. ‘The more income you earn …, the cheerier you will become. Large sums are better than small sums’.

2. Indeed, the more new things you purchase, the more you want and willingly make sacrifices to get it. But once you get basic human needs met, a lot more money doesn’t increase happiness. There are two reasons for it. Firstly, humans are never satisfied for long when a good fortune comes their way, they get a thrill at first, but soon they adapt to the new things. Secondly, more money can lead to more stress that is why a big salary may not buy everyone.

3. Scientists looked at 9,000 families in Britain at the end the 1990s to measure the levels of happiness. The research has found out that women tend to be happier than men, and that people in their 30s are least likely to be content. Professor Oswald says that happiness follows a U-shaped pattern, with people beginning life happy but becoming discontented in the early 30s, before their happiness recovered and continued, increasing into their 60s.

4. Harvard economist Erzo Luttmer has learnt that happiness can depend on a number of other factors. According to his research, a secret of happiness is people. Those with five or more close friends are 50% more likely to describe themselves as ‘very happy’, than those with smaller social circles. Besides, people in happy, stable, committed relationships tend to be far happier than those who aren’t. When asked what gives them the most pleasure, happy people favour robust health, home of their own, children, and an interesting job.

5. Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert emphasizes that applying yourself to something hard makes you happy. People are addicted to challenges, and they are often far happier while working toward a goal than after reaching it.

6. Sonya Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, has defined a profile of a happy person: a happy person doesn’t waste time dwelling on unpleasant things, tends to interpret ambiguous events in positive ways and is not bothered by the success of others. In a series of studies Professor Robert Emmons has stated that those who did exercises to cultivate feeling of gratitude, ended up feeling happier, more energetic and optimistic. His happiness list includes such things as romance, a dozen roses, guitar lessons, pets, gratitude, memories, small pleasures and … sociability.