Unit-II

Family

Working with words

A. Find the words from the text and solve the puzzle. Clues are given below.

ACROSS

1. the custom of having more than one wife at the same time: polygamy

5. to find an acceptable way of dealing with opposing ideas, needs etc.: reconcile

6. the process in which towns, streets, etc. are built where there was once countryside:             urbanization

7. the process by which somebody learns to behave in an acceptable way in their society: socialization

DOWN

1. ruled or controlled by men: Patriarchal

2. the act of taking over a position: succession

3. done in a way without caring if people are shocked: blatant

4. single-parent: one parent

B. Find the meanings of the following family-related words and use them in your own sentences.

    1. Nuclear family: a family group that consists only of parents and children

        Example:    I have a nuclear family, which includes me, my brother, and my parents.

    2. Monogamy: is defined as the practice of having a sexual relationship or marriage with only one            other person at a time.

        Example: Her husband seemed to be incapable of monogamy and had affairs throughout their                marriage.

    3. Sibling-in-law: Someone you are related to by marriage is your sibling-in-law. Your brother-in-           law and sister-in-law are your siblings-in-law. Your spouse’s siblings and your siblings’ spouses            are all your brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

        Example: My sibling-in-law lives in the UK.

    4. Milk kinship: The kinship arising from adoption or fostering. It is formed during nursing by a                non-biological mother.

        Example: She was adopted by my mother, so the relationship between us is just that of milk                    kinship.

    5. Matrilineal: relating to decent or kinship through the female line

        Example: My father believed wisdom came from his matrilineal influences.

    6. Nepotism: the act of using your power or influence to get good jobs or unfair advantages for                members of your own family

        Example: He was guilty of nepotism and corruption.

    7. Maternity: the state of being a mother

        Example: She is on maternity leave as she is giving birth to a baby next week. 

A. The headings of the first five paragraphs of the above text are given below. Write paragraph number next to them.

a. Patriarchal family- Paragraph-3

b. Functions of the family- Paragraph-2

c. Modern model of family- Paragraph-5

d. Effects of industrialization on family structure-Paragraph-4

e. Defining family- Paragraph-1

B. Answer the following questions.

    

    a. What type of family is thought to be the oldest form of the family?

•   Nuclear family is thought to be the oldest form of the family.

    b. How does a family provide security to its members?

•  A family provides security to its members in a number of ways. For example, it provides security for emotional and psychological security, particularly through the warmth, love, and companionship. It also provides a valuable social and political function by institutionalizing reproduction and by providing guidelines for the regulation of sexual conduct. The family additionally provides such other socially beneficial functions as the rearing and socialization of children, along with such humanitarian activities as caring for its members when they are sick or disabled. On the economic side, the family provides food, shelter, clothing, and physical security for its members, some of whom may be too young or too old to provide for the basic necessities of life themselves.

    c. What were the features of medieval European family?

• Families in the medieval period in Europe were often large extended families with a male predominance. As a result, male dominance and extended family are two characteristics of the medieval European family.

    d. What caused the dissolution of extended families in the West?

• Extended families in the West were broken up as many nations began to invest in industries and urbanization. In particular, unmarried adolescents abandoned farms and moved to urban centers to work as industrial workers.  OR
• In the west, extended families broke up as a result of industrialization and urbanization. OR
• Industrialization and urbanization caused the dissolution of extended families in the west.

   e. What change occurred in gender role in the modern family that emerged after the Industrial                     Revolution?

• After the Industrial Revolution, many changes occurred in gender role in the modern family. Particularly, male dominance in the family broke down, considering both male and female equal. Caring for the home and children, once the exclusive duty of the female, is often a shared activity. Earning responsibility is not dependent on male only. Moreover, the structure of the family changed in that some couples choose not to marry legally and instead elect to have their children out of wedlock; many of these informal relationships tend to be of short duration, and this—as well as the rise in levels of divorce.

    f. What is family law?

• Although family law varies from culture to culture, generally it is the legal relationships among family members as well as the relationships between families and society at large. It includes the terms and parameters of marriage, the status of children, and the succession of property from one generation to the next.

    g. How is modern marriage defined?

• In general, modern marriage is best described as a voluntary union, usually between a man and a woman (although there are still vestiges of the arranged marriage that once flourished in eastern Europe and Asia)

    h. What do special family courts try to do?

• Special family courts attempt to deal more fairly with sensitive issues such as custody of children.

    i. What does the legislation on child labour and child abuse declare?

• Laws that prohibit child labor and child abuse state that it is the responsibility of society to safeguard children from these abuses and to speak out on issues pertaining to their well-being and particular needs.

    j. What is common among most legal systems regarding property?

• Common among most legal systems regarding property is dealing with the division of property left by a deceased family member.

Critical Thinking

a. What changes have started to occur in Nepali families in recent days? What impacts will they have on society? Discuss. 

There have recently been several changes in Nepali families as a result of technological improvements, which have had both positive and negative effects on society. With advancements in technological innovations and inventions, people in Nepal are learning new things and following various western cultures and practices. For example, the trend of living together among the youth has become popular in Nepali society. They prefer living in a nuclear family to living in an extended family. When the wife and the husband disagree with each other over a small issue, they no longer live together. However, it has rarely prevailed in the past.

The structure and types of Nepali families are the first and most noticeable changes. In the past, people used to live in joint or extended families, but when new inventions and innovations in science and technology were made, the world moved forward, advancing in every sector. As a result, slowly and gradually, the youths from rural areas started moving to urban areas in search of opportunities, better education, and better facilities, eventually forming their own small family. Therefore, people nowadays live in nuclear families. Another change is concerned with the roles of family members. Traditionally, males were the breadwinners, while females were responsible for housework. More significantly, the family was male dominated in the past. The roles now have changed so that wife and husband are mostly equal in terms of taking care of children, working, and fulfilling economic necessities. For instance, a wife can work in an office while her husband takes care of children at home, or vice versa. Nevertheless, the roles of female (wife) and male (husband) were clearly defined or definite in the past. The husband was responsible for everything required for the family, whereas the wife was accountable for household chores. In addition, we can see the change in attitudes toward marriage. Boys or girls can choose their partners themselves; the family members, especially the father and mother, cannot interfere with them in this matter, but this was restricted in the past. They were forced to get married by their parents’ arrangement. In the past, the family also decided when to have a baby and how many babies to have.

The aforementioned changes have occurred in Nepali families mainly as a result of a wide range of technological developments that are within the reach of ordinary people. The main advantage of the change in Nepali families that has occurred is that all members are now equal. The female members are now educated and empowered, resulting in leadership roles in different fields. However, there is always a threat to indigenous norms and values because of the practice of western culture in family matters. It has further led to the practice of the nuclear family. People are busy, and as a result, they cannot give time for their family, contributing to the lack of love and affection. Nowadays, children in Nepali families force their parents to live in an old-age home, which was common in the past but is now considered bad when they get old and cannot take care of themselves.

In short, Nepali families have undergone significant change in recent years. The changes in the family have occurred positively and negatively. These changes have impacted society in many ways, putting our traditional family in danger. Nevertheless, it has brought some benefits, like considering wife and husband to be equal. 

b. We see many elderly people in the elderly homes these days in Nepal. Some of them are abandoned while others live there willingly. Do you think Nepali people are deviating from their traditional culture? Give reasons.

Nowadays, the trend of elderly people living in old-age homes has increased in Nepal. Some are abandoned and are therefore rescued, while others live there willingly. In my opinion, Nepali people are moving away from the traditional culture of living together with their elderly mother and father and taking care of them at their best. There are some influential factors behind this, which are discussed below.

The main reason is the influence of western culture. People can learn about foreign cultures via various media, like TV, the internet, social networking sites, etc., and start following them. This results in the decline of the indigenous or native cultures. For example, living together in a joint or extended family is the genuine Nepali culture, but nowadays, people are living in nuclear families. Children are unwilling to take care of their old parents and live with them; rather, they force them to live in elderly homes. Another factor is that people emphasize materialism rather than love and affection. As a result, they forget the most important thing—that living and serving their parents at their old age is the best thing in their lives—and are too busy at work to just earn money. Furthermore, when people become elderly and are unable to work, their own family members, including their son and daughter, are hesitant to care for them, giving the impression that they are unwanted and humiliated. This leads them to leave the house and live in elderly homes voluntarily.

Western traditions have had a significant impact on Nepali communities, and people today place a high value on money and are actively collecting it. The true Nepali traditional culture of residing with and caring for one's parents till death is therefore on the verge of extinction.

Writing 

a. Write an essay on The Importance of Family. In your essay, you can use these guiding                 questions.

    • Why family is important to you.

    • Why family is or is not important for society.

    • How you think families will change in the future.

A family is a group of individuals who live together, share social and financial responsibilities, and are related by blood, marriage, or adoption. A family is made up of at least an adult and their children.

It is not just an important thing for us; it is everything. It is the foundation for life. The most crucial thing about it is that it provides security to its members in a number of ways. For example, it provides security for emotional and psychological well-being, particularly through warmth, love, and companionship. It also provides a valuable social and political function by institutionalizing reproduction and providing guidelines for the regulation of sexual conduct. On the economic side, the family provides food, shelter, clothing, and physical security for its members, some of whom may be too young or too old to provide for the basic necessities of life themselves. The family additionally provides such other socially beneficial functions as the rearing and socialization of children, along with such humanitarian activities as caring for its members when they are sick or disabled.

As a part of a society, a family has a significant role in social development. It establishes a social support system so that when a family is in trouble, the community comes to their aid. It can also contribute to community involvement in social developmental activities, including roads, sanitation, drinking water, agriculture, health, education, etc. It is primarily responsible for children's education and socialization, as well as instilling values of citizenship and belonging in society.

However, changes in family types, the roles of its members, and so on have recently been observed around the world. I think the trend of transforming families will take place more rapidly in the future. Mainly industrialization, urbanization, and advancements in technology will affect it. For instance, because people are busy, they are unwilling to get married and have a baby.

In a nutshell, a family is significant because it provides unconditional love and affection, financial security, values, and identity to its members. It is also equally crucial to a society as its strength.

B. Some people think it is better to live in a nuclear family. Other people think that living in extended family is more advantageous. What do you think? Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of both.

It is debatable about which type of family—a nuclear one or an extended one—is better. Some prefer the former to the latter, while others like being a part of a large or extended family. I think that neither kind of family is inherently good nor bad. The benefits and drawbacks of each are discussed in the paragraphs that follow.

There are several benefits to having a nuclear family. For instance, when our family is nuclear, it is easier to fulfill the needs of its members since it consists of a smaller number of people, including parents and children. They are also unlikely to dispute over small domestic matters that they can resolve quickly. They perceive themselves as being more responsible for each and every task. Because there are fewer members and more space in the house, a small family can maintain a peaceful environment. However, a nuclear family has its drawbacks. For instance, all areas, such as finances, the home, food, etc., fall under the equal responsibility of the members. We are responsible for running everything. In other words, we are totally reliant on ourselves.

On the other hand, living in an extended family is also the choice of many despite some negative aspects. The first advantage is that its members can profit from financial responsibility sharing. When living in an extended family, those who are unemployed, such as grandparents and children, for example, profit because other family members who are employed can afford to feed them. Another positive aspect is that when parents are at work, grandparents or other family members look after the kids. Having an extended family naturally encourages family members to spend their leisure time together and interact with one another on a regular basis. Living close to family and simply knowing that they are close by frequently heals any feelings of loneliness for certain family members, especially elderly parents who may grow lonely and isolated when they live alone. Living with an extended family offers numerous advantages, but it may also be difficult and affect relationships, especially if the family doesn't get along well and there are more misunderstandings among the members. Although there are numerous advantages to living with an extended family, it may also be difficult and affect relationships, particularly if everyone gets along poorly. In other words, extended family members cannot coexist since they are likely to argue about trivial matters.

In summary, having a large or nuclear family offers both benefits and drawbacks. Some people prefer the former over the latter, depending on their personal preferences. Living together in a house with a plan that provides each member of the family with much-needed privacy, space, and comfort is one of the greatest methods to prevent any possible conflict.

Grammar

Modal verbs

A. Study the given sentences carefully.

a.     Please read this letter for me. I can't see without my glasses.

b.     After working for a couple of years in China, I can speak Chinese now.

c.     When he was 40, he could earn six-digit salary.

d.     After six hours' climbing, we were able to reach the summit.

e.     Yesterday, I lost my keys. I looked for them everywhere, but I couldn't find.

Structures:

…can+ V1…       

…can't+V1…

…could+V1…

…couldn't+V1…

…may+V1…

…might+V1…

…must+V1…

…be (am/is/are/was/were+V1…

...could+have+v3

...should+have+v3

...might+have+v3

...must+have+v3

B. Choose the best answer to complete the sentences.

a. 'How much was your parking ticket?' 'Fifty rupees.' 'Oh well, it ………… been worse.’

      i. could have   ii. must have    iii. should have

b. It …………. got lost in the post. These things happen sometimes.

      i. can't have      ii. might have iii. must have

c. 'Sorry I'm late. I got delayed at work.' 'You ………. called. I was really worried about you.’

      i. must have     ii. could have iii. would have

d.  'I don't think he meant to be rude.' 'He ……… said sorry.’

      i. must have     ii. might have              iii. would have

e. 'Whose signature is this?' 'I don't know. It ………. be Manoj's. That looks a bit like an M.’

      i. must ii. could                       iii. Should

f. I had it when I left the office so I ………. lost it on the way to home.

      i. mustn't have             ii. must have                iii. should have

g. You ………. think it's funny, but I think it's pathetic.

      i. might                        ii. should                     iii. could

C. Complete the following sentences with appropriate endings. Use correct modal verbs.

            Example: She could be a doctor; however,………….…………….

            She could be a doctor; however, she preferred to be an advocate.

a.     At the end of the course, we must take a test.

b.     If you want to earn a lot of money, you must invest in business.

c.     You were not in your house yesterday. You might have gone somewhere.

d.     I'm quite busy tomorrow. I am sorry. I can’t join you.

e.     When you were a small kid, you might have been so obstinate.

f.      My car is broken. I can spend a lot of time surfing the internet.

g.     I've got a fast speed internet at home. She was able to secure 10^th position.

h.     Even though she didn't study well, you can read them if you want.

i.      There are plenty of newspapers in the library. You might have been injured if you want.

j.      What do you think you were doing, playing in the road? You might have been injured.

k.     I have no time. I must leave now.

l.      You don't look well. You should take rest.