The family
What is a family? We can say that a family is a group of people related by blood or law, living together or associating with one another for a common purpose. That purpose is usually to provide shelter and food, and to bring up children. It can also be defined as an organizing social unit from which a person usually develops its personal identification.
Sociologists divide families into two general types: the nuclear family and the extended family, which may include three or more generations living together. Nowadays the nuclear family is regarded as normal. Most people think of it as consisting of two parents and two children.
There are many different views on family life. Some people could not do without the support and love of their families. They need a family for comfort and protection. Others think it is the source of most of our problems and anxieties. Whatever the truth is, the family is definitely a powerful symbol. If you open a magazine or turn on the television you will see advertisements featuring happy, balanced families. Politicians often try to win votes by standing for "family values": respect for parental authority, stability in marriage, care for the elderly.
One of the most important problems in the family is that of generation gap. It is the problem of misunderstanding between parents and their children.
Sometimes parents don't understand some problems and things which are very important in their children’s life; for example, the lifestyles of young people, piercing, tattoos, drugs, sex, relationship with friends and teachers. So sometimes teens can't tell them about their private life and don’t admit them in their own young world. Some adults don't want to understand modern views, ideals and system of values forgetting that they also used to be young and used to have their own views and values.
Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present, and regard old times as better, always talking about "the good old days". The young people, on the other hand, think their times as the best. The youth look at the world with fresh eyes. Everything is new, interesting to them. Sometimes they cannot solve their everyday problems. But they want to cope with them by themselves. So adults shouldn't prevent them from making their own mistakes.
Our parents have their own ideas and views that their children don't share and understand. Sometimes they think that their children won't find their place in life. They may say that now teens are very difficult to socialize with and dumpy. But nevertheless children should remember that their parents love them and that’s why there always exists a possibility to settle all problems peacefully. And if children come to their parents for advice and help, they will do their best and help children to cope with problems and difficulties.
A family is a little world where respect, support, confidence, comprehension are very important. But what is the most important thing in a family? Of course love. If members of the family love each other than all obstacles will be overcome and everything will be OK.
1. What is a family?
2. What types do sociologists divide families into?
3. What is a nuclear family?
4. What is an extended family?
5. What type is regarded as normal nowadays?
6. Do you think a family is the source of support, love and protection or the source of problems and anxieties?
7. Do you think a family is a powerful symbol?
8. How do politicians often try to win votes?
9. What is one of the most important problems in the family?
10. What is generation gap?
11. What don’t parents often understand?
12. Does the problem of generation gap exist in your family?
13. What don’t your parents understand?
14. How do elderly people regard old times?
15. What do the young people think about their times?
16. How do the young people want to cope with their problems?
17. What shouldn’t parents prevent children from?
18. What do adults think about teens?
19. What should children remember?
20. Do you agree that a family is a little world where respect, support, confidence and comprehension are very important?
21. What is the most important thing in a family?