Fun is, in fact , a word heard far more frequently in families today than in the

Fun is, in fact , a word heard far more frequently infamilies today than in the past , when “duty”and “responsibility ”were often the words used.Parents today are moreyouthful in appearance and attitudes. Their clothes and hair-styles are morecasual, helping to bridge the divide. Those who are athletically inclined alsoenjoy Rollerblading, snowboarding, and rock-climbing with their children.

     For the past three years,Kathy and Phil Dalby have spent at least one evening a week at a climbing gymwith their three children. "It's great to be able to work together,"Mrs Dalby says. "We discuss various climbs and where the hard parts are.Sometimes that leads to other Conversations. We're definitely closer."

     A popular movement of parenteffectiveness training in the 1970s has helped to reshape generational roles.The philosophy encourages children to describe their feelings about varioussituations. As a result, says Robert Billingham, a family-studies professor atIndiana University, "Parents and children began talking to each other inways they had not before."

     On the plus side, he adds,these conversations made parents realize that children may have importantthoughts or feelings that adults need to be aware of.

     But Professor Billingham alsosees a downside: Many parents started making decisions based on what theirchild wanted. "The power shifted to children. Parents said, 'I have tofocus on making my child happy', as opposed to 'I have to act as a parent mostappropriately'."

     Other changes are occurringas the ranks of working mothers grow.  Time-short parents encouragechildren's independence, making them more responsible for themselves."They'll say, 'We trust you to make the right decisions' (whether they'reready to assume the responsibility or not) ,"says Billingham.

     The self-esteem movement ofthe past quarter-century has also affected the family dynamics (原动力). Some parents worry that if they tell their childno, it will hurt the child's self-esteem.

1.What's the trend in parent-child relationshipmentioned in the passage?

A. Parents are chasing after fashion and ignoring thefeelings of their children.

B. More parents and children are sharing the sameenthusiasm for a certain sport.

C. Parents are taking more responsibility and settingmore limits for their children.

D. The generation gap is narrowing and parents arerespecting their children's thoughts more.

2.Which of the following has NOT contributed to thechange in the parent-child relationship?

A. Youngerparents.                  B. Parent effectiveness training.

C. More workingmothers.             D. The self-esteem movement.

3.What's the best title for the text?

A. Parents and Children as Friends.

B. Parents and Professors as Debaters.

C. Growing Mutual Understanding.

D. DisappearingResponsibility.                                                                           

试题答案

【答案】

1.D

2.A

3.A

【解析】

试题