2021年1月23日发(作者：解永军)
Unit 6

Is an Only-Child a Lonely Child?
1.





Many
couples,
who
already
have
one
healthy,
happy
child,
are
facing
a
dilemma
,
namely, the
issue
of whether or not to have a second child. They have
demanding

jobs and
limited
time
and
financial
resources,
but they
are
also
very
keen

to
ensure
that
their
only
child does not become a lonely child. So, what are the pros and cons of having a second child?
Is an only child a lonely child? That is what so many couples are very much
concerned
about
and eager to understand.
2.





The
issue
of
whether to
have
a
second child
is
one
of
the
most
difficult
issues
that
parents nowadays face. A
concern
that is often heard with regard to single child
is whether
one child necessarily means a lonely child. Many single-child parents feel a
stigma
associated
with their decision to have only one child.

There are no other children in the family for the
child
to
associate
with,
and
this
may
lead
to
the
child
feeling
lonely
at
times
,

especially
during vacations.
3.





Another common
argument
against
having
just
one child
is
that
an
only child
may
be
more spoiled
than
one with
siblings
.

Many
people
believe
that
a
single
child
will
not
have
learned to
negotiate
with others, and respect the give-and-take involved in many relationships.
Some think this may
leave the child
less capable of
interacting
well with people his or her
own age than one who has been raised with siblings.
4.





Despite
these
arguments,
the
number
of
parents
choosing
to
have
only
one
child
is
increasing in many parts of the world. In the US, for example, 14 percent of women between
18 and 34 plan to have just one child, and this percentage is expected to rise. The same trend
can be seen in the UK. According to the Family Policy Studies Center, the overall number of
British children being born each year has
declined
. In Japan, the average number of children
born per family had declined to 1.42 by 1996, while latest statistics
cite
less than one child.
This
has
led
to
government concerns
about supporting
an
increasing
population
of
elderly
people
in the future; it is predicted that, by 2020, a third of the population
in Japan will be
aged 65 or over.
5.





For
some
single-child
parents,
particularly
those
with
busy
careers,
the
pressures
of
devoting
time
and
energy
to
a second child
can seem
too
overwhelming
,
resulting
in
them
electing to
have no more children. For other parents, the financial burden of having a second
child
may
be
the
prime

consideration.
According
to
government surveys, many couples
in
Japan choose not to have large families as the cost of supporting a child up to the age of 18 is
estimated to be around 20 million yen,
equivalent
to around US $$160,000.
6.





Advocates
of single-child families argue that there are advantages for the child as well
as the parents. With just one child, they suggest, there is no
potential
for family arguments
arising

from
favoritism
or sibling
jealousy
.
Moreover, with
only
one
child,
the
parents can
give, and the child can receive, more quality time

and attention. This often leads to increased
self-esteem
which, combined with increased independence, can lead to the child being more
confident.
7.





Unfortunately,
there
is
no
simple
answer
to
the
question
of whether
or
not
to
have
a
second
child.
The
circumstances
affecting
each
set
of
parents
are
unique
,

and
what
is
appropriate for one family may not be for another. The important thing, in the end, is to make
a decision that both you and your
spouse
feel confident about.
Paragraph 1
W
ords and Expressions
1. dilemma

n
.
a situation in which it is difficult to decide what to do, because each choice has its advantages and
disadvantages
e.g.
The bad weather put us in a dilemma whether to leave or stay.
Collocation:


be in a dilemma
e.g.
I’m in a dilemma about this job offer.

我不知道是否要接受这份工作。


2. issue

n.

a subject or problem that is often discussed or argued about
e.g.
Unemployment is not the issue
—
the real problem is the decline in public morality.





I just got a raise, so money’s no longer an issue.

Collocation:


raise the issue: say that a problem should be discussed


e.g.
We should raise the issue of discrimination with the council.

Synonyms:



subject, problem

3. demanding

a.

needing a lot of ability, effort, or skill
e.g.
Climbing is physically demanding, while studying is mentally demanding.




Many people agree that teaching is a demanding profession.
Derivation:


demand

n.& v.


4. keen

adj.
interested in sth. or eager to do it
e.g.
John is a keen photographer.
Collocations:


be keen on sth.


e.g.

Daniel’s very keen on tennis.



be keen to do sth.


e.g.

She’s out of hospital and keen to get back to work.

Synonyms:



interested, eager
Derivation:


keenness

n.


5. concerned

adj.
worried about something
e.g.
Concerned parents approached the school about the problem.
Collocations:


be concerned about


e.g.
Ross has never been particularly concerned about what other people think of him.


be concerned for


e.g.
Rescuers are concerned for the safety of two men trapped in the mine.


be concerned that


e.g.

He’s concerned that he won’t get his money back.

Derivations:


concern

n.& v.



concerning

prep.


Sentences:
the pros and cons of having a second child
(Paragraph 1)

Explanation
:
the pros and cons
: the advantages and disadvantages



e.g. Before we make a decision, we must weigh up the pros and cons.
After hours’ discussion, everybody at the meeting could see clearly the
pros and cons
of the proposal.
Paraphrase:
the advantages and disadvantages of having one more child
Translation:

生育第二个孩子的利与弊


Paragraphs 2-3
W
ords and Expressions
6. concern

n
. a feeling of worry about sth. important; sth. that worries you
e.g.
His main concern is to be able to provide for his family.
Collocation:


concern about / over


e.g.
There is growing concern about the effects of pollution on health.


concern for sb.


e.g.
A
government spokesman expressed concern for the lives of the hostages.

7. stigma

n.
a mark of shame or disgrace; a shameful feeling or reputation
e.g.
There is a strong stigma attached to suicide.



In the past divorce and single parenthood carried a stigma.



离异和单亲家庭在过去是令人感到羞耻的。


8. at times
sometimes but not usually
e.g.

At times I wonder if it’s worth all the effort.

Comparison:
at no time, at all times

at no time:
used to say strongly that something never happened or should never happen
at all times:
used especially in official notices or announcements to say what always happens

or should always happen
Practice:
1) _________ did I tell you that you could use my car. (At no time)
2) Identification badges must be worn __________. (at all times)


3) _________________ even the most talented athletes lose their motivation. (At times)

9. sibling

n.

(
fml
) a brother or sister
e.g.
A
child with siblings seldom gets lonely.
Most young smokers are influenced by their elder siblings’
smoking habits.

10. negotiate

v.
discuss sth. in order to reach an agreement, esp. in business or politics
e.g.
Union leaders have negotiated an agreement for a shorter working week.
Collocation:


negotiate with


e.g.
The government refuses to negotiate with terrorists.
Derivations:


negotiation

n.



negotiable

adj.

11. interact

v.

1) (people) talk to each other and understand each other
e.g.
He interacts well with other children in the class.
2) (things) have an effect on each other and work together
e.g.
Social and economic factors are interacting to produce a recession.
Derivations:


interaction:
n.



interactive:
adj.

Sentences:
1.
Many
single- child
parents
feel
a stigma
associated
with
their
decision
to
have
only
one
child.
(Paragraph 2)

Paraphrase
:
Many
single-child
families
have
a strong sense
of
shame
in
their
decision
to
have
only one child.
Translation
:
许多只有一个小孩的父母都为自己只生一个小孩的决定感到羞愧。



2.
… this may lead to the child feeling lonely at times, …?
(Paragraph 2):
Explanation
:
lead to sb. doing sth.
: cause sth. to happen to sb. or cause sb. to do sth.



e.g. His actions could lead to him losing his job.
Paraphrase
: … such a situation will probably result in the child having a sense of loneliness from
time to time, …?

Translation
:
这样一种环境可能经常会让孩子感到孤独。


3.
Another
common
argument
against
having
just
one
child
is
that
an
only
child
may
be
more spoiled than one with siblings.
(Paragraph 3):

Explanation
:
spoil
: make sb., esp.a child, selfish from having too much attention or prais


Paraphrase
:
Another
reason
some
people
usually
hold
against
having
only
one-child
is
that
an
only
child
is
more
likely
to
be
given
too
much
love
and care
than
one
that
has
brothers
and/or
sisters.