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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:
THE ELDERLY
Societal and familial treatment of the elderly also reflects the values of independence and individualism. Elderly people in the USA are financially independent from their families. Older people often seek their own friends rather than becoming emotionally depended on their children. Senior citizen centres provide a means for peer-group association within their age group. There are problems, however, with growing old in the USA. Indifference to the age and glorification of youth have left some old people alienated and alone.
It is a common practice for families to place their older relatives in nursing homes because of physical disabilities or illnesses. Yet, some families are realising that the care in many nursing homes is inadequate, and thus they are looking for better alternatives to nursing homes. Some middle-age children provide care for older relatives in their own homes, while others attempt to find nursing care for their parents’ own homes. The ideal situation is when parents can stay in their own homes even if they cannot care for themselves. If given a choice many older people would choose to live in retirement communities where they have the companionship of peers and many recreational and health services. The disadvantage of this type of living arrangement is that it results in a separation of the generations.
| treatment to treat welfare to decrease senior means a peer to glorify alienated to nurse | Оношение Относиться Благосостояние Уменьшаться Старший Средства Сверстник Прославлять Отчужденный Лелеять | disability to emphasise an obligation inadequate to guide to affect retirement a community companionship | Неспособность Подчеркивать Обязательство Неадекватный Вести Затрагивать Отставка Сообщество Товарищеские отношения |
Ex. 10. Answer the questions:
What American values affect the life of the elderly? How does it influence their life?
What is the common practice of treating the elderly? What are the options?
What decreases the dependence of the elderly on their children?
What problem does this common practice bring about?
What do we mean by separation of the generations?
What is the common practice of treating the elderly in this country?
Ex. 11. Read the text:
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