Family: Types and Traditions

Ex. 5. Read the text:

Child raising

Acculturation, which begins at birth, is a process of teaching new generations of children the customs and values of the parents’ culture. How people treat new-borns is indicative of cultural values. In the USA, it is common for parents to put a new-born in a separate bedroom when the child is a few weeks old. Part of the reason is economic: many houses are large enough to offer each child a separate room. However, Americans have other reasons for separating their children physically soon after birth. Parents like to preserve their privacy. By having their own rooms, the children will also be able to have privacy when they are older. In addition, the children will learn to be responsible for their own living space. This is seen as a first step toward personal independence.

Americans have traditionally held independence and the closely related value of individualism in high esteem. Parents try to instil these values in their children. American English expresses these value preferences: at a certain age children should “cut the cord” and are encouraged not to “be tied to their mothers’ apron strings”.

Many children are taught to make decisions and to be responsible for their actions. Often children work for money outside the home as a first step to establishing autonomy. Some ten-year-olds, for example, mow their neighbours’ lawns, and slightly older children may deliver newspapers or baby-sit. This type of work is encouraged by parents, who see it as a means for their children to learn the “value of a dollar” as well as learn responsibility.

dimension significant privacy esteem (self-esteem)

Измерение Существенный Секретность Уважение (чувство собственного достоинства)

to instil to encourage to establish to mow a lawn

Вселять Поощрять Устанавливать Косить Лужайка

Ex. 6. Answer the questions to the text:

What is ‘acculturation’?

How do you understand ‘socialisation’?

Why do Americans keep their children separately? (3 reasons)

What values are in high esteem with Americans?

What expressions related to these values do Americans use?

How do Belarusian families differ from American ones in this aspect?

Ex. 7. Read the text:

YOUNG ADULTHOOD

Upon reaching a certain age (usually between 18 - 21 years), American children have typically been encouraged, but usually not forced, to “leave the nest” and begin independent lives. After children leave home they often find social relationship and financial support outside the family. Parents do not arrange marriages for their children, nor do children usually ask their parents’ permission to get married. Romantic love is most often basis for marriage in the USA; young adults meet their future spouses through other friends, at school, at work and in organisations and religious institution. Although children choose their own spouses, they still hope that their parents will approve of their choices.

In many families, parents feel that children should make major life decisions by themselves. A parent may influence a child to follow a particular profession, but the child is free to choose another career. Independence from parents is seen as positive; parents and children love each other even with the independence that characterises their relationship. Many parents feel that they have done a good job raising their children if their children are self-reliant by the time they reach 21.

to force a nest permission a spouse

Заставлять Гнездо Разрешение Супруг(супруга)

to approve of major to reach

Одобрять Главный Достигать

Ex. 8. Answer the questions to the text:

What are the reasons for children’s ‘leaving the nest’?

What is parents’ attitude s towards children’s marriages? How do you understand ‘an arrange marriage’?

What decisions are children supposed to make themselves?

Do parents try to interfere with those decisions? Why?

Do we here in Belarus have the same situation?

Ex. 9. Read the text: