The Family
1. The family in the Western World has changed greatly during the last two centuries. Social scientists say this is one of the important changes from a traditional society to a modern society.
2. Before the nineteenth century, families usually arranged marriages for their children. After getting married, they usually had a lot of children. This family was an important part of the large family of aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and other relatives. By the nineteenth century most young people could choose whom they wanted to marry, and could marry out of love. At the same time, parents began to realize that they had to take very good care of their children. They were responsible for their health and education.
3. The parents decided they should have fewer children so they could give each one a good life. They thought it was important for the mother to spend as much time as possible with her children. Before 1800, the family had all worked together at home. However, after 1800, fathers were the bread winners. Mothers stayed home and had greater control of the home and children. The relatives were still important, but they were separated.
4. Today family life is evolving even faster in the United States. There is almost one divorce for every two marriages. Over 10% of families are single parent families. At least half of all children live part of the time with only one parent. Fifty percent of all mothers work outside the home.
5. Some social scientists foresee that soon the family unit as we know it today will cease to exit in the United States. Others think that our society needs the family, and it will always be the dominant social form.
Circle the correct answer:
1. Before the 19th century ___________________________
a. the woman chose her future husband
b. the couple met at coffee shops
c. marriages were arranged by the family
d. people didn't get married
2. How many single parent families are in the U.S. today
a. 50%
b. 30%
c. 80%
d. 10% +
3. After the nineteenth century relatives, aunts, uncles and
grandparents
a. lived apart from the young people.
b. lived together in a large house.
c. helped to take care of the children.
d. decided who the young people should marry.
4. Mark the two (2) main differences between families today and
families before the nineteenth century.
a. Family size
b. Choosing a wife or husband
c. A comfortable home
d. Clothes to get married in
5. After 1800 money was earned by:
a. the children
b. the parents
c. the father
d. the mother
6. In this article the writer discusses changes in family life. He claims that
Social Scientists:
a. think that in the future there will be a different family structure.
b. think there will always be families.
c. does not say what they think.
d. a + b are true.
7. What word in the paragraph 4 means "changing"
____________________________
8. What word in paragraph 5 means "to know the future"
____________________________
תשובות
1/c
2/d
3/a
4/a/b
5/c
6/d
7/evolve
8/foresee