Trends in the American family

Task 1. You are going to listen to some information about trends in the American family. Before you do that, read the following questions and answers about current trends in family structure. Do you think the answers are true or false? For each answer, circle either T (true) or F (false). Compare your predictions with a partner.

Questions	Answers	Your predictions
1 How many marriages in the United States end in divorce?	25% of marriages in the United States end in divorce.	T   F
2 How many children spend time in single-parent families?	About 50% of all children spend time in a single-parent home.	T   F
3 How big are average families in the United States?	There are about four people in the average American family.	T   F
4 What percentage of people live together before they get married?	About 50% of young couples live together before getting married.	T   F
5 How many people live alone?	About one in four households consists of only one person.	T   F

Task 2. Now listen to the information about trends in the family and check whether your predictions were correct. Cross out any false information in the "Answers" column and write in the correct information. Compare your answers with your partner.

9   LISTENING

FAMILY BACKGROUNDS

Task 1. Work with a partner and compare your family backgrounds. Use the chart below each question to make notes about your and your partner's answers. When you are done, work with a different partner and compare the information you wrote down in your charts.

1. How many people were there in your household when you were a child? Who were they?

You	Your partner

1. In what ways was your family typical of other families in your community? In what ways was it different?

You	Your partner

1. What important lessons did you learn from your family? Can you describe one? For example, did anyone in your family ever explain to you why it was necessary to act a certain way?

You	Your partner

 

Task 2. Interview with Robert: Growing up in an extended family

A. You are going to listen to Robert talking about his family background. Here are some words and phrases from the interview with Robert printed in bold and given in the context in which you will hear them. They are followed by definitions. Study them carefully.

not just my mother and father, but my extended family: a family that includes many relatives such as cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and several generations

I grew up very close to my family: closely connected by love for each other and time spent together

I never really sought people out besides my family: looked for

He was more protective of us than my mother was: watched over us closely

some of my best traits: characteristics

Families are not necessarily blood relations: genetically related; related by blood

 

B. Look at this representation of part of Robert's family tree and then read the questions that follow it. Then listen to the interview with Robert and circle the correct answer to each question.

 

1) Where did Robert's parents and grandparents live?

a in the same house                         b in the same neighborhood

2) What kind of family did Robert grow up in?

a a nuclear family                            b an extended family

3) What was Robert's father's attitude toward him?

a He was very protective.                b He encouraged him to live his own life.

4) When did Robert have a problem with his family?

a when he was in his early teens     b when he went to college

5) How important were the other children in the neighborhood to Robert?

a extremely important                     b not very important

6) Where did Robert and his cousins often play?

a on the block where they lived      b in the basement of their house

7) How did Robert's parents feel about his grandparents' values?

a They rebelled against them.          b They shared them.

8) How much does Robert feel that families today have changed?

a He thinks they have changed a lot. b He does not think they have changed very much.

9) What does Robert believe is the most important characteristic of a family?

a the fact that people are blood relatives   b the fact that people love each other