1 The family ties

The family is very important as a unit in our society. Nothing else but family can be an emotional centre of people's life. Every mother feels great affection for her children and tries to bring them up in a proper way. Understanding between the members of the family and consideration for others are very important in family relationship. Tenderness, warm-heartedness and respect must always be present in the family to make it friendly. A lot of activities help members of the family to be on friendly terms: discussing all the family plans together, going on trips together, visiting museums, theatres, exhibitions and exchanging opinions about them, sharing the same joys and sorrows. If you think of the others in the family you show your love and attention in everyday life, you can hurt them if you are selfish, not sincere and rude. It is very important to visit relatives on holidays, on birthdays, on anniversaries and develop close relationship.

We feel more affection for our relatives when we are parted from them. When the family is friendly, everybody has the warmed feelings of returning home where relatives are waiting for them. There are different opinions on how children should be treated if they disobey their parents, break the rules, do forbidden things, and don’t keep their words or promises. Some people think that parents should be patient, kind and understanding. The rules and children's behaviour are discussed in such families. But others believe that children must always obey the parents and if they won't they should be punished.

1 Fill in the gaps with the following words: advice and opinion, have lunch, quite common, real head, a lot of time chatting, see each other, live nearby, leave home, sells their home, lead independent, quite a large family, the same house, the main problem, discuss things together

Family life

How close are you as a family? We usually … at least once a month, maybe more often. We often … together on Sunday if we haven't got anything special to do. Usually my grandmother and my uncle and aunt are there too — we're … ! Sometimes my brother and his girlfriend come over — they … . The meal takes about four hours, we spend … . There's no one we call the head of the family, although my father's … are very important in all decisions we take. My uncle Vladimir in fact older than my father is, so I suppose he's the … of the family. But we all try to … when we meet.

In most families, it's a small family group who live in … , mother, father and the children before they get married. But if one of the grandparents dies, the other usually … and goes to live with their children. So it's … to have one grandparent living with you. Most children … when they get married. But there are some people who want to … lives and they find a flat as soon as they start their first job, even before they get married. Of course, … is that flats are so expensive to rent, and we simply have to live with our parents.

2 Answer the questions

1. Is it better to be the older or the younger in a family with two children? Why? 2. What makes family members feel closer to each other? 3. Is there anyone in your family you admire? Why? 4. Why do teenagers enjoy spending a lot of time with their peers? 5. Who do you think influences the teenagers’ character more: family or friends? Why? 6. How do you think the child who misbehaves should be treated?