阅读理解 Recent studies suggest that family arrangements in Western societies have not changed as much in the last few centuries as is generally believed．Yet most sociologists agree that in modern societies, there are fewer opportunities for friendship and support from relatives．Parents and children often live apart from other relatives, and seldom visit them．Also, the family moves when a parent accepts a job in another place or when it decides to live in a better neighbourhood．Together, loneliness and mobility(迁移)force immediate family members to depend heavily on one another for affection and companionship． Because the family is one of the few ongoing sources of affection and companionship in modem societies, a high, percentage of people continue to marry, even though it is possible for a single man and woman to live together without marrying．On the other hand, because affection and companionship have become so important, families are more likely to break up if the husband’s or wife’s emotional(情感的)needs are not met within the family circle-even if al1 other family functions(功能)are being satisfactorily performed, and in this sense, affection and companionship have become the touchstone of the modem family． |
