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  3. In most societies, the role of a mother differs in some ways from the role o

In most societies, the role of a mother differs in some ways from the role o

游客2025-02-18  8
问题     In most societies, the role of a mother differs in some ways from the role of a father. Why do you think these differences exist? How might parental roles develop in the future? (2015-11-21 A)
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答案     In most societies the mother and father have different roles. The difference exists because it is the mother who gives birth and breastfeeds the baby. Until a few generations ago, married women had children regularly, often one a year, and so were seen as in need of the husband’s protection. Men were expected to work to support their family, usually outside the home, whilst the women looked after the home and family—a case of basic biology.
    Today, however, good contraceptives have made childbearing a choice. Better antenatal care and health generally have reduced maternal mortality. It has been realised that giving women an education will not harm their ability to have children or anything else! Attitudes have changed and women have much more opportunities, at least in the developed world. In fact, there is concern that some men are feeling inadequate in the face of successful women who do better at school and university, and increasingly in business, although there are still a glass ceiling and considerable pay differences.
    If women are to have high powered jobs, clearly they cannot have huge amounts of time off for domestic duties. Many such women have a husband who is prepared to be a househusband. Others employ nannies and tutors for their children or send them to boarding schools. Modern fathers are positively encouraged to be involved with their children’s lives, from nappy changing and bottle feeding to playing with young children and sharing activities of older children. The father’s role has been shown to be of vital importance to a child’s development and later health.
    In future parenting will change. The divorce rate in the Western world is very high, so there will be issues with stepchildren to be tackled, such as how to deal with blending two families. Acceptance of homosexuality and same sex marriages, and with it children born to same sex parents or adopted by them, all challenge older views. In the 21st century people have more choices. Some choose not to marry, and some choose not to have children. Parents have more equal rights and there are lengthy court battles over maintenance and custody, especially as many divorced fathers feel that their role is diminished. All this often has a detrimental effect on children who suffer unprecedented mental health issues.
    As a society we have more or less rejected the ’mother stays at home, father works and supports their family’ model in favour of much better opportunities for women, but have not really found a satisfactory alternative. Parents must give their children stability and love, and this must continue until the children can support themselves, these days often into their thirties. Each set of parents needs to think carefully about how they will manage this, and this will be difficult in our self-centred society.
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