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traditional and non-traditional families, but we must admit that family patterns vary from country to country.
When we speak about a traditional family, we mean a family with both parents living together. Usually there are two children in a traditional family. Today there is a tendency that families are getting smaller. Therefore, a family where there is only one child can also be called a traditional one.
In a traditional family the father goes out and works and the mother looks after the children, or both parents work. More and more women work today either to express themselves or to earn money to support the family.
Today there are many single-parent families, which are headed by only one parent, usually the mother. Many divorced men are required to help support the children by law.
Family problems.
Families today face many difficulties – for example financial difficulties – low-income families are not rare today. It’s a problem because children in families, which suffer from poverty, are likely to commit a crime one day.
Another family problem is connected with the relationship between the parents. More than a half of all marriages in well-developed countries end in divorce. Children suffer greatly during a divorce, but it’s better to live in a single-parent family, than with two parents who are unhappy.
Generation gap is also a problem in many families. Teenagers often consider their parents old-fashioned. And parents don’t want to understand their children’s needs. Our parents sometimes don't want to understand modern views, ideals and our system of values. They say that teenagers are cruel, brutal, heartless and rude. Sometimes when we talk to our parents, they listen only to their own point of view. They say that wisdom always comes with age and that they know better.
Do you have your own family traditions?
There are some family traditions in my family. For example, we always have dinner together. Every evening, when my parents come home from work, we have a family dinner. We discuss the important events of the day.
The second tradition is connected with household duties. Everyone in our family has his own duties. For example, my mum is responsible for cooking, while my dad always does the shopping. I’m responsible for the pets and plants, while my older sister is responsible for washing the dishes and vacuum-cleaning.
The third tradition is celebrating holidays together. We especially like celebrating New Year and Christmas. The traditional New Year dishes in our home are a roast chicken, a couple of salads and my mum’s specialty — a vanilla cake. We always prepare postcards and presents for one another.
What will you ask your British friend about his/her family?
How many members are there in your family?
What can you tell me about your parents?
Do you have brothers or sisters?
Do you have any family traditions?
Do you love your family?
What can you advise people who want to have a close and happy family?
To have a happy family people must love and respect one another. It’s also a nice idea to do something together. We are the family of five. I live with my parents, my brother and sister. We don't have any family problems as we understand and love each other. I enjoy the honest and open relationship in my family. I like it when parents trust their children, give them enough freedom and respect them.
My mother’s name is Nadezhda. She is 45 years old. She works as a nurse. She is a born nurse.
My Dad’s name is Victor. He is 50 years old. He works as an engineer. Both my parents like their work very much.
My elder sister Natasha is eighteen, she goes to the University. She wants to be a designer. She is fond of painting and photography. My younger brother Sasha is only four years old. Sasha goes to the kindergarten. He is very funny, I like to spend my free time with him. Sasha likes to draw and to watch cartoons.
I also have a granny and a granddad. They don’t live with us, but I often visit them. My grandparents are retired. They like gardening and spend a lot of their time working in the garden. I love my family very much. Everyone in my family is my best friend.
The role of the family.
Belonging to a family is highly important to each of us. Our family gives us the sense of tradition, strength and purpose. Our families show us who we are. The things we need most of all — love, respect, and communication – have the beginning in the family.
Family is very important in our lives. Family is an emotional center of people's life. You can always find help and support in your family. If you have any problems, you can consult your parents or relatives. You feel secure when there’s a family behind you. In happy families, parents are frank and honest with their children, they treat their children with respect without moralizing or bossing them.
The functions of the family.
Families serve many functions:
They provide conditions in which children are born and brought up.
They educate children, teach them family values and daily skills.
They give us emotional support and security.
Family patterns.
When we speak about family patterns we mean
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