BEIT BERL ACADEMIC COLLEGE

The Academic English Department

A BASIC ENGLISH READING COURSE

Part II: Academic Articles

Compiled by Susan Zisser

WINTER 2017

For Internal Use Only

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Television: How It Affects Us………..…………pgs. 2-8

2. Internet Issues……………………………………pgs. 9-16

3. The Importance of Sleep………………………..pgs. 17-22

4. What Stops us From Committing Crime……….pgs. 23-31

6. Deviance and Crime …………………………….pgs. 32-37

7. The War on Drugs………………………………..pgs.38-45

8. How We Learn to Behave………………………..pgs.46-52

9. Women’s Liberation………………………………pgs. 53-62

10. Levels of Sleep …………………………………..pgs.63-67

11. Growing Up Male or Female ……………………pgs. 68-73

12. Can Stress Make Us Sick?...................................pgs. 74-78

13. What’s the Most Stressful Job?.………………….pgs. 79-84

14. Gender Issues………………………………………pgs. 85-92

15. A Cultural Difference ………………………………pgs. 93-96

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Television: How It Affects Us (485)

1. How does television affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people who carefully

choose the programs that they want to watch. Television can increase our knowledge of the

outside world; there are high quality programs that help us understand many fields of study;

science, medicine, the arts, and so on. Moreover, television benefits very old people who

can't often leave the house, as well as patients in hospitals. It also offers non-native

speakers the advantage of daily informal language practice; they can increase their

vocabulary and practice listening.

2. On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages to television. Of course, it

provides us with a pleasant way to relax and spend our free time, but in some countries,

people watch the "boob tube" for an average of six hours or more a day. Many children

stare at a TV screen for more hours each day than they do anything else, including

studying and sleeping. It's clear that the tube has a powerful influence on their lives and

that its influence is often negative.

3. Recent studies show that after only 30 seconds of TV, a person's brain "relaxes" the same

way that it does just before the person falls asleep. Another effect of television on the

human brain is that it seems to cause poor concentration. Children who view a lot of TV

can often concentrate on a subject for only fifteen to twenty minutes; they pay attention

only for the amount of time between commercials!

4. Another disadvantage is that TV often causes people to become dissatisfied with their own

lives. Real life doesn't seem as exciting to these people as the lives of the actors on the

screen. To many people, TV becomes more real than reality, and their own lives seem

boring. Also, many people get upset or depressed when they can't solve problems in real

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life as quickly as TV actors seem to. On the screen, actors solve serious problems in a

half-hour or a thirty-second commercial.

5. Before a child is fourteen years old, he or she views eleven thousand murders on the tube.

He or she begins to believe that there is nothing strange about fights, killing, and other

kinds of violence. Many studies show that people become more violent after certain

programs. They may even do the things that they saw in a violent show. An example is the

effect of the movie "The Deer Hunter". After it appeared on TV in the United States,

twenty-nine people tried to kill themselves in a way similar to an event in the film.

6. The most negative effect of the "boob tube" might be people's addiction to it. People often

feel a strange and powerful need to watch TV, even if they don't enjoy it. Addiction to a TV

screen is similar to drug or alcohol addiction: people almost never believe that they are

addicted.

4

Television: How It Affects Us

I. Pre-reading: Read the title, all of paragraph 1 and the first sentence only of paragraphs 2-6. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the topic of this text?Answer in 5 words or less

2. What is the author's purpose in writing this text?Circle the BESTanswer.

a. To list the advantages of watching television.b. To convince us not to watch televisionc. To explain why television has disadvantages.d. To compare the good and bad effects of television

3. What is the main idea of this text?Answer in one sentence.

II. Close reading. Read all of the text. Answer the following questions:

4. According to paragraph one, for which people can watching television be helpful?

Mark (x) 3 answers.

____ people who don't care which shows they watch

____ people who carefully choose what they watch

____ people who have knowledge of many fields of study

____ people who are old or sick and must stay indoors

____ people who want to learn a new language.

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PARAGRAPH 2

5. According to the author, is relaxing in front of the television always a bad thing?

YES / NO Circle one answer

JUSTIFICATION

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

6. Why does television have a strong influence on children?

__________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

7. According to paragraphs 3-6, what are four disadvantages to television?

(Choose one from each paragraph 3-6)

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

c. __________________________________________________

d. __________________________________________________e.

PARAGRAPH 5

8. What idea does the example of the movie "The Deer Hunter" support?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 6

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9. Why might some people watch television even if they don't enjoy it?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

VOCABULARY PRACTICE: Fill in the blank spaces with these words.

provide reality increase quality negative program view

appear brain addiction suicide

a. Choose the ________________ you want to watch.

b. Television can ________________ our knowledge of the world.

c. After thirty seconds of TV, a person's ________________ relaxes.

d. Some children ______________ television for many hours a day.

e. The influence of TV on our lives is often _________________ .

f. After the movie ________________ on TV, many people tried to kill themselves.

g. Television ______________ us with a pleasant way to spend our free time.

h. Too much television viewing can become an _________________.

i. To many people, TV becomes more real than _________________

III. MATCH THE NEAR SYNONYMS

a. to affect 1. research

b. commercials 2. a result

c. an effect 3. an advantage

d. fight 4. advertisements

e. a study (studies) 5. influence

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f. a benefit 6. Violence

IV. MATCH THE OPPOSITES

a. advantage 1. decrease

b. negative 2. different

c. similar 3. unpleasant

d. pleasant 4..positive

e. increase 5. disadvantage

V. Translate the following noun groups into Hebrew. our knowledge

high quality programs

many fields

daily informal language practice

a pleasant way

a powerful influence

recent studies

the same way

the human brain

poor concentration

certain programs

8

a violent show

the most negative effect

drug or alcohol addiction

Internet Issues (512)From: Academic Encounters: Life in Society

By Kristine Brown and Susan Hood, Cambridge, 2002

1. The Internet is an amazing information resource. Students, teachers, researchers

use it as an investigative tool. Journalists use it to find information for stories. Doctors use

it to learn more about medical developments. Ordinary people use it for shopping, banking,

and communicating with family and friends. People all over the world use it to connect with

individuals from other countries and cultures. However, while there are many positive

developments associated with the Internet, there are also certain fears and concerns.

2. One concern relates to a lack of censorship or control over what appears on the

Internet. Anyone can put information on the Internet that can then be read by anyone else,

at any time. This makes it very different from television or radio. With television and radio

there are editors to check the accuracy or appropriateness of the content of programs.

With the Internet, parents cannot check a published guide to determine what is suitable for

their children to see. While software can be used to block access to certain websites, such

as those displaying pornography, this can never be completely effective.

3. There are also concerns about privacy and control of communication on the

Internet. For example, when you use e-mail or participate in chat groups, it is possible that

your private messages may be read by others without your knowing. If you buy things on–

line or browse the Internet, it is possible to trace all the websites that you visit. Such

information can be used to build up a profile of your interests and habits. One purpose for

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such a profile is to provide information to companies who sell on-line advertising space. If

they know your habits and interests, they can select particular advertisements to send to

you when you are on-line. One potential danger is that the information could be used by

others to your disadvantage. For example, an employer could use such information to

decide that you are not a suitable applicant for a job.

4. A further issue relates to the misuse of the Internet in the workplace. Many

companies are now finding that they need to establish policies to control when employees

use the Internet and for what purposes. Recent surveys undertaken in the United States

have revealed, for example, that:

47 percent of employees send up to five personal e-mails per day, 32 percent send

up to ten personal e-mails daily, and 28 percent receive up to twenty personal e-mails per

day.

5. A fourth and growing area of concern is that of Internet addiction. An Internet addict is

someone who is unable to control his or her own use of the Internet and whose behavior

threatens to overwhelm his or her normal life. Internet addiction can result in many problems

including a lack of sleep, lateness for appointments, neglect of work responsibilities, and the

disintegration of marriages and families. Internet addiction is not just a matter of how much

time a person spends on-line. It is more a matter of how much damage Internet use causes in

a person's life.

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Internet Issues: Questions

Pre-reading: Read the title, first paragraph and first sentence only of each paragraph. Circle the correct answer.

The author's purpose in this article is

a. to discuss why the internet is an amazing information resource.

b. to prove that the internet is useful for many different professions

c. to present many positive developments associated with the internet

d. to explain why using the internet is problematic

CLOSE READING QUESTIONS:Paragraph 11. Is the Internet an entirely positive information resource?

Yes / No (Circle one)

Justification: ________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2: 2. What MAIN IDEA does the following example support?“Anyone can put information on the internet that can then be read by anyone else, at any

time.”

________________________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________

3. Why is it not always possible for parents to protect their children from viewing

pornography?

__________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 34. What may be the danger of buying things online or simply browsing the internet?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

5. What does “such information” (line 5, paragraph 3) refer to?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

6. How might information about your internet habits be used by others to your disadvantage?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 4

7. What main idea do the recent surveys in the United States support?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 5

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8. How does the writer define an internet addict?

a.______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

b.______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

9. Is spending a lot of time on the Internet always a symptom of addiction?

YES / NO (Circle one answer)

JUSTIFICATION:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

10.According to the entire article, what are the writer’s major concerns about the internet?

a. ______________________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________

d. ______________________________________________________________

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Internet Issues: Vocabulary

Match the words in bold with their meanings : ( The first one is done for you)

F 1.There are also certain fears and concerns

a. wrong use

2.Such information can be used to build a profile.

b. additional

3.Parents cannot determine what is suitable for their children to see.

c. absence

4.Parents cannot determine what is suitable for their children to see.

d. like this

5 .There are restrictions on what kind of programs can be shown on

television.

e. appropriate, a good match

6 .It is possible to trace the websites you visit.

f. worries

7.One purpose of such a profile is to provide information to

companies who sell on-line advertising space.

g. decide

8.Employees send up to five personal e-mails a day.

h. boss

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9.An employer could use such information to decide that you are not a suitable applicant for the job.

i. go back to find

10.A further issue relates to the misuse of the internet in the

workplace.

j. give

11.A further issue relates to the misuse of the internet in the

workplace.

k. workers

12 .Internet addiction can result in lack of sleep.

l. limitations

Internet Issues

Translate the following noun groups:

an amazing information resource

an investigative tool

the latest medical developments

internet misuse

other countries and cultures

positive developments

certain websites

your private messages

completely effective

such information

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your interests and habits

one purpose

on-line advertising space

particular advertisements

one potential danger

a further issue

recent surveys

internet misuse

CONNECTORS מילות קשור

CONTRAST ADDITION CAUSE

But moreover because/ since/ for

On the other hand as well as RESULT

However also / furthermore lead to )led to(

Although in addition as a result/ consequently

While/whereas another so / therefore / thus

Choose a word to logically connect the two sentences (in the middle).

1. Television has several advantages. Television can be addicting.

2. Television can increase our knowledge. It has several negative effects.

3. Television benefits very old people who cannot leave the house. It offers non-native speakers the advantage of informal language practice.

4. Too much television can lead to poor concentration. It can cause people to become dissatisfied with their lives.

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5. Children often watch many violent programs. Some children become more violent.

6. You should not watch too much television. You may become addicted.

7. There are many positive developments connected with the internet. There are also certain fears and concerns.

8. Some people limit their use of the internet. Other people spend too much time online.

9. Software can block access to pornography. This can never be completely effective.

THINKING ABOUT THE TOPIC: Discuss these questions with your neighbor:

1. How many hours do you usually sleep every night?

2. Do you sleep more or less than you did when you were younger? Explain your

answer.

3. How do you feel if you don’t get enough sleep? Explain.

4. Do you dream every night? Do you remember your dreams?

The Importance of Sleep (527)From: Making Connections: Low Intermediate

By Jessica Williams, Cambridge, 2011

1. For about one third of your life, your eyes will be closed. You will not move very much. You

will breathe very slowly. You will be quiet. In other words, for about one third of your life,

you will be asleep.

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2. Why do we sleep so much? What is the purpose? Scientists do not have a complete

answer. They believe that sleep restores your energy and helps your brain to work better.

If you do not sleep enough, you cannot concentrate on your work, and you feel tired all

day. Without enough sleep, you are also more likely to get sick.

3. Sleep is important for normal development. Children need a lot of sleep in order to grow up

strong and healthy. They need more sleep than adults. During the first two weeks of life,

babies sleep for about 16 hours every day. This changes as they grow and need less

sleep. Teenagers need about nine hours of sleep every night. Most adults need about

eight hours. After about the age of 70, most adults only sleep for about six hours every

night.

4. All animals sleep, but there is great variation in how much they sleep. For example, some

big snakes sleep for more than 18 hours a day. Sheep only sleep for about four hours, and

giraffes sleep less than two hours a day. Pigs sleep for eight hours a day just like adult

humans.

5. Adult humans usually sleep for a long period and then are awake for a long period. In

contrast, most animals do not sleep for one long period. Instead, they sleep for shorter

periods during the day and night. Human babies and animals have similar sleep patterns.

They sleep for a few hours, and then they stay awake for a few hours.

6. Scientists are also learning more about how people sleep. They know there are five

different stages of sleep. Brain activity changes during these stages. During the last stage

of sleep, something strange happens. Many of the muscles in your body are paralyzed; in

contrast, your brain becomes very active. Your eyes move rapidly, and you breathe more

quickly, too. This stage is called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. About 20 percent of

adult sleep is REM sleep. Adults usually go through about five periods of REM sleep every

night.

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7. REM sleep is when people have most of their dreams. If a person has one dream in each

of these REM periods, that is about 2,000 dreams every year. Humans and many animals

have dreams, but scientists are not sure of the purpose of dreams. Some scientists believe

dreams help people understand things that happen during the day. Other scientists think

dreams help us remember things.

8. There are still many things we do not understand about sleep. However, one thing we do

know is that all animals, including humans, need to sleep. They need to sleep in order to

grow and to keep their brains and bodies active and healthy. They need to sleep or they

will get sick and die.

The Importance of Sleep: Comprehension Questions

Paragraph1

1. Decide if the sentence below is true or false:

You sleep for about half of your life.

TRUE or FALSE (Circle one)

JUSTIFICATION:

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Paragraphs 2

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2. What do scientists believe is the purpose of sleep?a. ________________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3

3. What does the word “this” (par. 3, line 4) refer to?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

4. How many hours of sleep do we need at each age?

a. Babies need ______________________________________________

b. Teenagers need ___________________________________________

c. Most adults need __________________________________________

d. People over 70 years old need _______________________________

Paragraph 4-5

5. What main idea do the examples of snakes, sheep and giraffes support?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

6. What is similar about the sleep patterns of human babies and many animals? (Circle the best answer)

a. They sleep for 16 hours a day.

b. They need less sleep as they grow older.

c. They sleep for short periods and then are awake for short periods.

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d. They cannot concentrate if they do not sleep enough.

Paragraphs 6-7

7. What happens during the REM stage of sleep?

(Circle all the correct answers)

a. You breathe more quickly.b. You save energy.c. You dream.d. Your body does not move.e. Your eyes move.

8. Decide if the sentence below is true or false:

REM sleep is passive sleep.

TRUE or FALSE (Circle one)

JUSTIFICATION

_____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

9. At what stage of sleep do people have most of their dreams?

Complete the sentence: People have most of their dreams during the stage of

__________________________(two words only)

10.What are two possible purposes of dreams?

a. __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

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b. __________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 8

11. According to the writer, why is sleep important for humans and all other animals?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

12. According to the ENTIRE text, is the purpose of sleep completely clear to scientists

today?

YES NO (Circle one)

JUSTIFICATION:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

The Importance of Sleep

Vocabulary Practice

Match the words in bold with their meaning:

What is the purpose of sleep?

a. People who are 18 years or older

Sleep restores your b. To think hard or

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energy. focus on somethingSleep is important for normal development

c. A specific step in a process

If you do not sleep enough, you cannot concentrate on your work.

d. A change or a different form of something

Most adults need about eight hours of sleep.

e. The reason for doing something

All animals sleep, but there is great variation in how much animals sleep

f. Very unusual

Adult humans sleep for a long period of time.

g. To make something the way it was before

During the last stage of sleep, something strange happens.

h. A process of growing or changing

There are five different stages of sleep.

i. Something that occurs in the same way over and over.

Human babies and animals have similar sleep patterns.

j. A specific amount of time

What Stops Us from Committing Crime?

THINKING ABOUT THE TOPIC: Answer the following questions and compare your answers with a partner:

1. Some of the reasons people do not break the law include the following:a. They have a strong moral belief that it is wrong.b. They fear the disapproval of their family and friends.

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c. They fear the embarrassment of being caught.d. They would have to pay a fine if they were caught.e. They are afraid of having a criminal record.

Which of the reasons above would deter or stop you from doing the

following things?

_____ 1..parking illegally

_____ 2 copying computer software illegally

_____ 3 speeding while driving

_____ 4 smoking in public places where it is prohibited

_____ 5 lying about your age to get a job

_____ 6 copying from a friend during a test

2. Do you know these words?___ obey the law ___ internal and external controls

___ effectiveness ___ moral values

___ disapproval ___ embarrassment

___ a criminal record ___. honesty

___ to pay a fine ___ to deter

What Stops Us From Committing Crimes? (601)

1. If a society is to continue to function smoothly, then the members of that society need to

behave in orderly ways: they need to follow certain norms and obey certain rules. How

does it happen that most people in a society agree to obey the rules? According to

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sociologists, there are two kinds of controls that influence the way an individual behaves.

These are referred to as internal controls and external controls.

2. Internal ControlsImagine you are in a music store and you see a CD that you want. The price is $20. You

have only $5 with you, but the thought of stealing the CD does not occur to you. Why not?

The answer is internal controls. Internal controls are those you impose on yourself based

on your values, beliefs, and fears.

3. One of the values you hold is that stealing is wrong and that honesty is right and good. To

continue to feel good about yourself, you don't steal. So the first aspect of internal control

is how you feel about yourself. The second aspect of internal control is the possible

disapproval of friends and family who might become aware of your stealing. You do not

want to have to talk with your parents or husband or wife or children or friends about why

you stole a CD. The third factor operating to discourage you from stealing is the fear of

being arrested. Many shops display signs such as "This store prosecutes shoplifters to the

full extent of the law" and employ store detectives to identify shoplifters. Finally, social

forces such as whether you are employed full-time may influence whether you steal or not.

You may be afraid of social consequences, such as losing your job or losing the trust of

your work colleagues. In a study of national property crime arrests, researchers compared

the percentage of arrests within two populations: people with full-time jobs and people who

were not employed. The researchers found that the percentage arrested among those who

were not employed was much higher.

External Controls4. For some individuals internal controls will not be enough to deter them from breaking the

law. Most societies also impose external controls or punishments of some kind to

discourage people from committing crimes. There are three main kinds of external

controls: public embarrassment; the payment of money or fines; and imprisonment. If a

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police officer stopped you for speeding, you would probably be embarrassed as other

passing motorists stared at you. If you were going fast enough, you would also be asked to

pay a fine as well as court costs. If you were driving while drunk, you would be taken to

jail, fined, and have your driver's license taken away from you.

5. There are a number of factors that influence the effectiveness of these external controls in

stopping people from committing crimes. Their effectiveness depends, for example, on

how certain it is that the crime will be punished. If there is little likelihood of being caught,

the external controls may be weak or ineffective. It also depends on how severe the

punishment is. The threat of being sent to prison is more likely to prevent people from

breaking the law than the threat of paying a small fine. For some crimes, external controls

do not seem to be very effective. For example, a person who commits a "crime of passion"

is in a state of uncontrollable anger or feels overwhelming pressure and may not give any

consideration at all to the consequences of his or her actions.

What Stops Us from Committing Crimes – Questions

I. Prereading: Read the title, subtitles as well as paragraph one and answer the following question:

26

1. What is the author's purpose in writing this text? Circle the best answer.

a. to compare internal controls to external controls.

b. to discover ways to prevent crime.

c. to explain how society functions smoothly.

d. to explain why most people obey society's rules.

Paragraph 22. Why would some people not think of stealing a CD?

___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

3. How does the author define internal controls?

___________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

Paragraph 34. What are four kinds of internal controls?

a. ________________________________________(5 words only)

b. _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

c. ________________________________________(5 words only)

d. ________________________________________(2 words only)

5. According to a study of national property crime arrests, which population

was arrested more?

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_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Paragraph 46. Why do most societies impose external controls to discourage people from

committing crime?

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

7. What are three main kinds of external controls?

a. ________________________________________________b. ________________________________________________c. ________________________________________________

8. When might your driving license be taken away?

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Paragraph 59. What factors influence the effectiveness of external controls?

a. _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

10. What idea does the example of “a crime of passion” support?

_____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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11. According to the entire text, what is the author's main idea?

Circle the best answer.

a. Members of society need to follow norms and obey rules.

b. Internal controls don’t always stop us from committing crimes.

c. Both internal and external controls deter us from crime.

d. Sociologists control the way an individual behaves.

Match the words in bold with their meaning:

Members of society need to follow

certain rules. a. if

29

One value is that honesty is right

and good.b. way of looking at

Internal controls are based on your

values.c..probably

Disapproval of friends may deter

you from committing a crime.d..groups of people

Disapproval of friends may deter you from committing a crime.

e..to do what you are

toldYou may be afraid of social

consequencesf..causes

There are a number of factors that

influence the effectiveness of

external controls.

g..truthfulness

Fear prison is likely to deter people

from breaking the law.h.. set of laws or

conventionsMembers of society need to obey certain rules.

i..morals

Two kinds of controls influence the

way an individual behaves. j..results

The first aspect of internal control is

how you feel about yourself.k..displeasure,

dissatisfactionResearchers compared the percentage of arrests within two populations.

l..to affect

Whether you are employed may

influence whether you steal or not.discourage

A . FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THESE WORDS:

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Define; definition; function; arrest; criminal record; aware; commit; social

forces; shoplifter; member; obey; norm; value; belief; member;

disapproval; honest; honesty; population;

1. Another way of saying “to break the law” is to ___________a crime.

2. A word that means a personal belief is a ___________.

3. People who tell the truth and do not steal are _______________.

4. When the police catch someone stealing, they can _________this person.

5. Some people do not steal because they fear the ______________of friends and

family.

6. People who live in a society are ___________of that society.

7. Bringing a gift to a friend is an example of a social ______________.

8. A word that means to follow a rule is to ___________.

9. A person who steals from a shop is a _________________.

10. When a society works well, it _____________smoothly.

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B

FILL IN THE GAPS WITH THESE WORDS:

Define; definition; function; arrest; criminal record; aware; commit; social

forces; shoplifter; member; obey; norm; value; belief; member;

disapproval; honest; honesty; population;

1. A ___________of society is someone who lives in that society.

2. When a society works well, it _____________smoothly.

3. Another way of saying “to break the law” is to ___________a crime.

4. A person who steals from a shop is a _________________.

5. People who tell the truth and do not steal are _______________.

6. A word that means to follow a rule is to ___________.

7. When a person fears the ______________of friends and family, that person will not

steal.

8. Bringing a gift to a friend is an example of a social ______________.

9. The police will _________ a person when they catch that person stealing.

10.A word that means a personal belief is a ___________.

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Deviance and Crime (585)From: Academic Encounters: Life in Society, 2002

1. Have you ever…

crossed the street against the traffic light?

driven through a stop sign without stopping?

cheated on a test?

If so, you have broken a socially accepted norm or practice, and you could therefore be

considered deviant. Deviant behavior is behavior that is considered to be unacceptable, or

outside the norms for that society.

2. There are, of course, degrees of deviance and not every member of a society will agree on

what is deviant behavior and what is normal behavior. For example, while many people

believe that prostitution is deviant, others see it as a legitimate way for people to earn a

living. Also, what is seen as deviant behavior will change over time and vary from place to

place. Drinking alcohol, for example, has been regarded as deviant or as acceptable in the

United States at different times in the past. In fact, in the 1920's, alcohol was considered to

be so unacceptable in the U.S. that it was illegal to sell, buy, or consume it. Now drinking

in moderation is accepted by the majority of the population in the United States as normal

social behavior for adults.

3. What is considered to be deviant may also vary from culture to culture. In most cultures,

but certainly not in all, it is regarded as deviant for a man to have more than one wife at

the same time. However, there are some religious groups and cultures where polygamy is

an accepted practice.

4. Some acts of deviance may simply result in a person being regarded as odd or unusual,

while other deviant behaviors actually break the law. These behaviors are seen as

crimes. Crimes can be grouped into different categories. One category is violent crime.

This includes murder, rape, robbery, and assault. Another is property crime, such as theft,

33

arson, or burglary. There is also a category of victimless crime, so-called because such

crimes do not involve harm to people other than the criminals themselves. Examples of

victimless crimes include gambling, prostitution, and drug abuse. Another category is

white-collar crime, which includes tax evasion and embezzlement.

5. In 2000, there were 11.6 million reported crimes (excluding traffic offenses) in the United

States. According to a report by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), in 2000 the

following crimes occurred at the rates shown:

Robbery: 46.5 per hourBurglary: 234 per hourViolent crime: 163 per hourRape: 10.3 per hourMurder: 1.8 per hourVehicle theft: 133 per hour

It should be noted, however, that these figures are based only on crimes that are

reported. Actual crime rates may be two or three times higher than the official figures.

6. Murder, or homicide, is the most serious crime, and reports on crime show that it is also

mostly a personal crime. That is, homicide is far more likely to be committed against

acquaintances, friends, or relatives than against strangers. It also occurs most frequently

during weekend evenings, particularly Saturday night. As a crime of passion, homicide is

usually carried out under over-whelming pressure and uncontrollable rage.

7. While the public perception may be that the crime rate, especially for violent crime, is

continuing to rise, there has in fact been a decline over the past decade. In 1991, there

were 1.9 million violent crimes reported in the United States. By 1998, this figure had

dropped to 1.5, million. Murder rates in the same period dropped from 24,700 to 16,914.

34

Deviance and Crime: Questions

Paragraph 1

1. According to paragraph 1, how does the writer define deviant behavior?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Paragraph 22. a. What general idea does the example of prostitution support?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

b. What general idea does the example of alcohol in the United States support?

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Paragraph 33. What general idea does the following sentence support?“Polygamy is accepted in some cultures but is considered deviant in other cultures”

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Paragraph 44. What do "these behaviors" (par. 4, line 2) refer to?

________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5. What are 4 categories of crime?

a. ______________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________

c. _____________________________________________

d. ______________________________________________

35

6. Why are certain crimes considered "victimless crimes"?

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Paragraph 57…What do “these figures” (paragraph 5, line 10) refer to?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

8..Decide if the following statement is TRUE or FALSE, circle your choice and justify your

answer by quoting from the text.

The actual crime rate for vehicle theft is 133 per hour.TRUE FALSE

JUSTIFICATION: ________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Paragraph 69. What does “it” (paragraph 6, line 1) refer to?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

10. Is homicide usually committed against strangers?

YES NO (circle one)JUSTIFICATION:___________________________________________

11. What is the usual cause of homicide?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

36

Paragraph 712. a) What is the public perception of crime?

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

b) Is the public perception of crime accurate?

Yes No (Circle one)

JUSTIFICATION:

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

13. Mark (x) all the correct answers:

The author’s purpose in this article is

___To explain that some acts of deviance are actual crimes.

___To discuss the different categories of crime.

___To explain that definitions of deviance never vary.

___To explain that deviance is not the same in all cultures.

___To explain how to prevent deviance and crime.

37

Deviance and Crime: Vocabulary

Match the word in bold with the correct meaning:

1. There are, of course, degrees of deviance and not every member of society will agree on what is normal behavior

a. ten years

2. Some see prostitution as a legitimate way to earn a living.

b. use, eat, or drink

3. Drinking alcohol has been regarded as deviant or as acceptable in the United States at different times.

c. against the law

4. What is considered to be deviant may also vary from culture to culture.

d. grown up people

5. Drinking alcohol has been regarded as deviant or acceptable in the United States at different times.

e. numbers

6. In the 1920’s, alcohol was considered to be so unacceptable in the U. S. that it was illegal to sell, buy or consume it.

f. habit or custom

7. In the 1920’s, alcohol was considered to be so unacceptable in the U.S. that it was illegal to sell, buy or consume it.

g. thought of, considered

8. Now drinking in moderation is accepted by the majority of the population in the U.S. as normal social behavior for adults.

h. amount ; measure

9. There is also a category of victimless crime, so-called because such crimes do not involve harm to people other than the criminals themselves.

i. understanding

10. There are some religious groups and cultures where polygamy is an accepted practice.

j. acceptable

11. Actual crime rates may be two or three times higher than the official figures.

k. behavior outside the norm

12. Actual crime rates may be two or three times higher than the official figures.

l. thought of

13. It also occurs most frequently during weekend evenings.

m. agreed to

14. While the public perception may be that the crime rate is continuing to rise, there has in

n. hurt

38

fact been a decline over the past decade.15. While the public perception may be that the

crime rate is continuing to rise, there has been a decline over the past decade.

o. happens

The War on Drugs

BUILDING VOCABULARY

the battle against drugs

the drug problem

drug use / a drug user

drug dealing

drug overdose

a drug addict / drug addicts

drug treatment

drug addiction

drug abuse

drug related homicides

drug legalization

drug education programs

legal / illegal

legalize

legalization of drugs / legalizing drugs

to oppose

to advocate

to be in favor of

to argue for / to argue against

to restrict / restriction

39

to enforce the law / law enforcement

to label someone

The War on Drugs

A. Look at the following words and expressions. What do you think the text will be about?

In favor of \ abuse \ addiction \ treatment \ Law-enforcement

advocate \ decriminalization \ legalization \ argue \ oppose

B. The War on Drugs: Opinions: Do you agree or disagree with the these opinions?

1. Over the past few decades, the drug problem has become considerably

worse.

2. Drug use has increased among teenagers.

3. Drug abuse is the result of poverty and inequality.

4. The battle against drugs is a failure.

5. People should be able to buy drugs legally the same way they buy

cigarettes.

6. If drugs were legal, there would be fewer robberies and murders.

7. Legalizing drugs would lead to more addiction.

8. The drug problem can be solved by drug education programs.

40

9. Drug users should not be labeled criminals.

10.The government should try to protect us from harming ourselves by

making drug use illegal.

The War on Drugs (609)

From: Academic Encounters: Life in SocietyBy Kristine Brown and Susan Hood, Cambridge, 2002

1. Over the last few decades, the drug problem in the United States (and in many other

industrialized countries) has become considerably worse. In 1981, there were about 3 million

drug addicts in the United States; today there are around 6 million. The number of drug

overdose deaths and drug-related homicides has also increased. This is in spite of the fact

that the government has spent more and more money in trying to solve the drug problem. The

fight against drugs is often referred to as a "war" or "battle," and most experts now believe the

battle against drugs has been a failure. They say it has failed because the government has

focused on controlling the problem through laws and punishments, rather than through drug

education and treatment.

2. The failure of the law-enforcement approach has led to calls for other approaches to solving

the problem, including the decriminalization and the legalization of drugs. Advocates of

decriminalization think that drug users should no longer be labeled as serious criminals and

that the punishments for drug use should be significantly reduced. Advocates of legalization

believe there should be no restriction on drug use at all, and that individuals should be able to

buy drugs the same way they buy cigarettes and alcohol today.

3. Those who are in favor of legalization argue that the current drug laws do more harm than

good. They argue that the current laws waste police time because while police officers are

busy arresting people for smoking marijuana, they are not doing the work of arresting robbers

and murderers. Further, they argue that the high cost of illegal drugs and the enormous

41

amounts of money to be made from drug dealing encourage more serious crimes. For

example, many drug users turn to stealing to support their habit and police can sometimes be

bribed to "look the other way." Finally, those who support legalization believe that if drugs

were legalized, the huge amounts of money currently spent on law enforcement could be

used for drug treatment and education, which would drastically reduce drug use.

4. Those who oppose legalization respond that, if drugs are legalized, drug use and addiction

will skyrocket. They point to the experience with alcohol, which was prohibited in the United

States in the 1920s. At the end of this period, called Prohibition, the consumption of alcohol

apparently soared by 350 percent (Bennet 1989). Others feel that the use of drugs is a

stepping stone to other crimes – that, for example, the use of marijuana leads to the use of

heroin or cocaine, and on to more serious crime. If drug use is stopped, this trend will be

prevented.

5. Another aspect of the debate on whether or not drugs should be legalized involves the

question of individual rights. Some people call for legalization because they feel they have the

right to take drugs – that it is none of the government's business. They think that laws

governing this behavior are an invasion of individual rights. On the other hand, others argue

that the government should try to protect us from harming ourselves.

6. Finally, there are those who believe that the problem of widespread drug abuse and crime can

only be solved when the government attacks the root causes of the problem: poverty, racism

and inequality (Currie 1993). They propose that the government should deal with the factors

that cause the problem by providing employment for all, increasing the minimum wage,

improving health care for the poor, offering paid family leave, and providing affordable

housing.

42

The War on Drugs – Questions

Pre-Reading: Read the first paragraph and first sentence only of each paragraph.

Circle the best answer.The author's purpose in this text is

a. To explain why the battle against drugs has failed.

b. To argue in favor of the legalization of drugs.

c. To discuss the problem of widespread drug abuse.

d. To present opposing approaches to the war on drugs.

Close Reading Questions:PARAGRAPH ONE1. Why do most experts think the battle against drugs has failed?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 22. What do advocates of decriminalization want to change?

a.______________________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________________

3. What do advocates of legalization want to change?

a. ___________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________

43

PARAGRAPH 34. Why do advocates of legalization think the current laws waste police time?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

5. What is a possible result of the high cost of illegal drugs?) ________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

6. For what would advocates of legalization prefer to spend money?

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 47. What do opponents of legalization think will happen if drugs are legalized? Circle the correct answer.

a. drug use will decrease greatly.

b. drug use will lead to alcohol use.

c. drug use will increase greatly

d. drug users will explode.

8. Decide if the following sentence is true or false. Circle the correct answer.TRUE FALSE

“At the end of the period of Prohibition, people stopped drinking alcohol.”

Justification:________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

44

9. What does "this trend" in the last sentence of paragraph 4 refer to?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 5

10. a. Why are some people in favor of legalizing drugs?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

b. What do opponents of legalization think about the role of government?

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 6

11..What do some people think really causes drug abuse? (3 words only)

________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

12. What should the government do to solve the drug problem?

Give 5 suggestions.

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

c. _________________________________________________

d__________________________________________________

45

e. _________________________________________________

The War on Drugs

Vocabulary: Match the words in bold with their meanings

1 .Over the last few decades, the drug problem in the U.S. has become considerably worse.

a. occurring in many places (adj.)

2 .Over the last few decades, the drug problem in the U.S. has become considerably worse.

b. to be against something (v)

3 .The failure of the law-enforcement approach has led to

calls for other approaches to solving the problem

c. a method to solve a problem (n)

4 .Advocates of decriminalization think that drug users should no

longer be labeled as serious criminals.

d. ten years (n)

5 .Advocates of decriminalization think that drug users should no

longer be labeled as serious criminals.

e. to hurt (v)

6 .Advocates of decriminalization think that punishments for drug

use should be significantly reduced.

f. in a large and important way (adverb)

7 .They think that punishments should be significantly reduced.

g. use (n)

8 .Those who oppose legalization point to alcohol which was

prohibited in the United States in the 1920’s

h. to make illegal (v)

9 .Alcohol was prohibited in the i. people in favor of something

46

United States in the 1920’s(n)10 .At the end of Prohibition,

consumption of alcohol soaredj. to include (v)

11 .Another aspect of the debate involves the question of

individual rights.

k. to make less (v)

12 .The government should try to protect us from harming

ourselves

l. considerably (adverb)

13 .The problem of widespread drug abuse can be solved only by

attacking the root causes

M using a word to describe someone (v)

How We Learn to Behave (732)

A woman turns off her cell phone as she enters a movie theater.

A driver eats a candy bar and puts the paper wrapper in the ashtray.

A couple decides to have a baby.

1. Being polite, neat, and family-oriented are characteristics of the well-socialized citizen.

Socialization is the process of learning how to behave in the society we live in. For

societies to exist, there must be some organized way of teaching the members what is

expected of them and how they are to behave. Through socialization, the infant develops

into a person like one of those described above.

2. Every society tries to socialize its members. The task is performed by several groups and

institutions (called socializing agents). The family, the school, and the peer group (that is,

people of the same age) are the most important socializing agents. Of these, the family is

the most important, especially during the first few years of life. A review of various studies

of families has concluded that warm, supportive, moderately strict family environments

usually produce happy and well-behaved children; and that cold, rigid, and overly strict

families tend to cause youngsters to become rebellious, resentful, and insecure (Gecas

1981).

3. How, then, do families and other socializing agents teach children how to behave? Two

important ways are by sanctions (rewards and punishments) and by modeling.

47

Rewards and Punishments4. Sanctions are consequences following a behavior that influence whether the behavior will

be repeated. Positive sanctions mean that the behavior is followed by something that is a

reward. If a child asks a parent "May I have some gum please?" and the parent gives the

child some gum, the child learns that saying "please" at the end of a request results in

getting what he asks for. Negative sanctions (also known as punishments) mean that

something bad happens after a behavior occurs. When a child says "Gimme some gum"

and the parent says "No gum until you learn to ask politely" and does not give the child the

gum, the child learns that it is not a good idea to speak this way because he does not get

what he wants.

Modeling 5. Modeling refers to learning by watching the behavior of others – especially parents – and

copying that behavior. Modeling influences both positive and negative behavior. For

example, children who are respectful to elderly people have probably seen their parents do

things such as helping older people onto trains and buses. On the other hand, children

whose parents are alcoholics are more likely than other children to become alcoholics

themselves.

Differences Across Cultures 6. It is easy to assume that every culture socializes children in the same way. Studies of

other cultures, however, show that children are socialized differently depending on the

culture they are brought up in.

7. A study of 6- to 11-year-old children in six farming communities in the United States,

Kenya, Okinawa, northern India, the Philippines, and Mexico is a good example of these

studies. Beatrice and John Whiting (1975) found a big difference between the types of

household chores that children were expected to do in these cultures. More importantly,

they found that parental expectations about work around the house were an important part

of children's socialization. Where children were expected to take care of other younger

children and do chores that helped the whole household (as in the Kenyan and Mexican

48

communities studied), they quickly learned to be responsible and caring toward others. In

communities like the one studied in the United States, where children were only expected

to do chores such as cleaning their rooms and picking up toys, they were less likely to

develop these traits at an early age. Of course, not every family in a particular culture

socializes their children in exactly the same way – and this would be true of expectations

about household chores also. Nevertheless, many cross-cultural differences in

socialization have been identified by researchers.

8. Other evidence of these differences in socialization practices comes from a study of how

traditional Vietnamese and Chinese socialize their children (Dillard 1987). In these families,

the needs of the group are seen as more important than the needs of the individual, and so

children learn that their first responsibility is to their parents rather than to themselves. For

example, many children work hard at school so that their parents will be proud of them.

MATCH COLUMN A WITH COLUMN B

A Bto depend on a. traits

punishment b. an infant

to conclude c. result in

a task d. adolescent

to perform e. to rear / raise

institutions f. youngster

a baby g. a negative sanction

a teenager h. to carry out

a grown-up i. to come to an opinion

lead to j. a job

49

characteristics k. an organized part of a culture

a child l. an adult

to bring up m. to rely on

Translate these Noun Groups:

a particular culture cross-cultural differences

socialization practices household chores

six farming communities parental expectations

the well-socialized citizen other researchers

the peer group various studies

a moderately strict family environment / some organized way

How We Learn to Behave: QuestionsPARAGRAPHS 1-3

1. What are some characteristics of the well-socialized citizen?

__________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________

50

2. How does the author define socialization?

__________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________

3. What does "the task" (paragraph 2, line 1) refer to?

__________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________

4. What are the important socializing agents in society?

a. ___________________________________________________

b. __________________________________________________

c. ___________________________________________________

5. What socializing agent is the most important?

________________________________________________________

6. What may cause a child to become rebellious, resentful and insecure ?

_____________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

7. What are two ways families teach children how to behave?

a. ______________________________________________________

b. ______________________________________________________

8. How does the author define sanctions?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Paragraph 4 9. Complete the sentences below:

51

a. A parent who gives a child gum when the child says "please" is an example of

____________________________________________

b. Another word for "negative sanctions" is _____________________

Paragraph 510. What MAIN IDEA does the following sentence support?

"Children are respectful to older people when they see their parents act respectfully"

________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Paragraph 6 11. What determines how a child is socialized?

________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

12. PARAGRAPH 7: Complete the sentences below: a. In Kenya and Mexico, children quickly learned to be responsible and caring

toward others since_________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

b. In the United States, children were only expected to clean their room and their

toys, therefore

______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

13. PARAGRAPH 8Why do children in Vietnam and China learn that their first responsibility is to their

parents rather than to themselves?

52

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

14. What is the main idea of the entire text? Circle the best answer.a. Every society tries to socialize its members.

b. Children learn best if they are given rewards and punishments.

c. The way we behave is due to the process of socialization.

d. Not every culture socializes children in the same way.

A SUMMARY OF THE TEXT:The following paragraph summarizes the text "How We Learn to Behave". Fill in the missing words according to the text.

Socialization is the process of learning how to behave in the society we live in. The

job of socialization is performed by several groups called _________________. The

family, the school, and the peer group are the most important socializing agents, and of

these three, the _____________ is the most important, especially in the early years. Two

important ways that families and other socializing agents teach children to behave are

_____________ and __________________. Sanctions are the _________________ that

follow a particular behavior and influence whether or not the behavior will be

_________________. Sanctions can be positive (__________________) or negative

(punishments). Modeling is learning by ________________ the behavior of others –

53

especially parents - and copying that behavior. Children are socialized differently

depending on the __________________they are brought up in.

Women's Liberation

Decide if you agree or disagree with these opinions. Then compare your answer with your partner.

1. Most women today are no longer content

with the traditional role of housewife. agree/ disagree

2. All women should pursue a career. agree/ disagree

3. All women should acquire an education. agree/ disagree

4. Mothers should stay at home and look after their children. agree/disagree

54

5. Women today want fewer children than they did in the past. agree/ disagree 6.

Birthrates would increase if mothers didn't have to work. agree/ disagree

7. It is wrong to use birth control methods. agree/ disagree

8. Women should have a choice when and if to bear children. agree/ disagree

9. The invention of labor-saving devices is one cause of women's liberation. agree/ disagree

10. Women today have the opportunity to pursue the same careers as men. agree/disagree

Women's Liberation (741)

A. Since the middle of the twentieth century, women around the world have been

seeking greater independence and recognition. No longer content with their

traditional roles as housewives and mothers, women have joined together to create

the so-called "women's liberation movement." While the forces behind this

international movement vary from culture to culture and from individual to individual,

the basic causes in the United States can be traced to three events: the

development of effective birth control methods, the invention of labor-saving

devices for the home, and the advent of World War II.

B. The first cause for the liberation of women was the development of effective birth

control methods, freeing women from the endless cycle of childbearing and rearing.

55

As a result of having a choice as to when and if to bear children, women acquired

the freedom and the time to pursue interests outside of the home. Because of the

development of birth control, women could delay having children or could avoid

having them altogether. Consequently, women had the opportunity to acquire an

education and/or pursue a career.

C. The second event was the development of mechanized labor-saving devices for the

home, resulting in more leisure time and freedom for women. For example, fifty

years ago, a housewife spent an average of twelve to fourteen hours per day doing

housework. Due to the invention of machines such as vacuum cleaners, washing

machines and dishwashers, a housewife can now take care of her daily housework

in a few hours.

D. The third event that, at least in the United States, gave impetus to the liberation of

women was World War II. During the war, most men were serving in the military.

Consequently, women had to fill the vacancies in the labor force. Women by the

thousands went to work in factories and even took over businesses for their absent

husbands. This was a great change for the majority of American women, for they

discovered that they could weld airplanes and manage a business as well as

change diapers and bake cookies.

E. These three events planted the seeds of a great change in society, and the effects

of this change are being felt at all levels; in the family, in business, and in

government.

F. One of the biggest effects of the greater independence of women is being felt in the

home. The traditional husband-wife relationship is undergoing a radical

transformation. Because so many women are working, men are learning to share

the household tasks of cooking, cleaning and, even caring for children. In some

families, there has been a complete reversal of the traditional roles: the husband

stays home while the wife earns the family's income. It should be pointed out,

56

however, that this is the exception, not the rule. In most families in the United

States, the husband still earns most of the money, and the wife still does most of

the housework.

G. The effects of women's liberation are being felt not only in the home, but also on the

job. More and more women are working, and they are demanding equal salaries

and equally responsible positions. It is not uncommon for a woman to be the

president of a corporation these days. Many businesses encourage women to

advance to higher management positions, and every year the nation's schools

produce more women doctors, lawyers, and accountants.

H. Politics and government are still other areas that are feeling the effects of the

women's movement. Although the United States doesn't appear ready to accept a

woman president, as some countries of the world have, women are being elected to

public office in increasing numbers. The United States has had several women

governors, which is the highest office in a state. A few years ago, this would have

been unthinkable. Furthermore, the increasing political power of women has

resulted in a proposal for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, called the Equal

Rights Amendment, which will give women complete equality with men by law, if

passed.

I. In conclusion, women in the United States are acquiring greater independence,

which is causing sweeping changes in society – at home, at work, and in politics.

While men may not be happy with these changes, they should always remember

that it was they, the men, who created the conditions leading to the liberation of

women: men made war, male scientists developed birth control, and businessmen

earned a lot of money selling vacuum cleaners and dishwashers.

Women's Liberation – QUESTIONS

57

PRE-READING: Read the first paragraph and first sentence only of all the

other paragraphs. Choose the best answer.

1. The author's purpose in writing this text is:

a. to describe the development of effective birth control methods.

b. to explain the reasons why women seek greater independence.

c. to present the events which led to the women's liberation

movement.

d. To explain the causes and effects of the women's liberation

movement.

CLOSE READING QUESTIONS:

Paragraph A1. Why did women create the international women's liberation

movement?____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

2. Decide if the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

The reasons which led to the creation of the international women's

liberation movement are the same for all cultures.

58

TRUE FALSE (circle one)Justification:

_____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

3. What three events led to the creation of the women's liberation movement in the United States?

a. _________________________________________________

b. _________________________________________________

c. _________________________________________________

Paragraph B: 4. What enabled women to acquire an education and pursue a career?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

5. How did the invention of labor-saving devices change the lives of

women? (paragraph. C)

_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

6. Why did women begin to work in factories and businesses during World

War II? (paragraph. D)

_________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

59

7. According to paragraphs E-H, where were the results of women's liberation felt?

a. _______________________________________________

b. _______________________________________________

c. _______________________________________________

8. In what way are men responsible for the conditions that led to women's

greater independence? (paragraph I) _________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article. Use your dictionary to help you.

a. vary strength, strong reasons

b. create invention

c. causes look for

d. trace change

e. device invent

f. seek reasons

g. forces to follow the history of something

60

PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article. (Sometimes more than one combination is possible.)Write the two phrases together to see if they make sense.

a. the development of for women

b. the forces behind the twentieth century

c. the middle of to create a movement

d. greater independence birth control methods

e. no longer content for the home

f. women joined together this movement

g. basic causes and recognition

h. effective with traditional roles

i. labor-saving devices can be traced

Fill the gaps with the words on the right. REMEMBER – first decide what part of speech is missing.

Since the middle of the 20th _____________, women vary

around the world have been ____________ greater events

independence. No longer content with their traditional roles, joined

women ______________ together to create the women's century

liberation movement. While the forces behind the movement seeking

61

________ , the basic causes can be traced to three ________.

The development of ____________________ birth control acquired

methods free women from having too many children to opportunity

_______________ . As a result, women ____________ effective

the freedom to ______________ an education . In addition pursue

they had the ________________ to pursue a career. rear

Translate the following noun groups into Hebrew.Remember: the noun comes at the end of the noun group.

the women's liberation movement

their traditional roles

this international movement

the basic causes

effective birth control methods

mechanized labor-saving devices

62

the endless cycle

the second event

leisure time

their absent husbands

a great change

the greater independence

the traditional relationship

a radical transformation

the household tasks

a complete reversal

equal salaries

equally responsible positions

the increasing political power

complete equality

equal rights

CONNECTORS: WORDS THAT SIGNAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IDEAS

cause result addition contrast condition

because consequently moreover nevertheless otherwise

because of therefore in addition however or else

for thus furthermore yet

since so as well as although

63

due to as a result also though/ even though

as despite/ in spite of

while / whereas

Choose a word to logically connect the two sentences (in the middle).

1. Today there are many labor-saving devices. Women have more leisure time.

2. Women can choose when to have children. Effective birth control methods are available today.

3. Women can acquire an education. Women can pursue a career.

4. Some men stay home while the wife earns money. This is an exception.

5. Today women demand equal salaries. They demand equally responsible jobs.

6. Today there are several women in government roles. In the past, this was rare.

7. Sometimes the mother works outside the home. The father looks after the children.

8. Women are acquiring greater independence. There are sweeping changes in society.

The Levels of Sleep (807)

By Peter Farb; From: Humankind

1. The modern understanding of sleep began quite by accident in 1952. A graduate student

was assigned to observe the eyelids of sleeping volunteers to see whether any movement

occurred. He observed that at certain times during the night the eyeballs of sleepers moved very

quickly beneath closed eyelids. Such activity was totally unexpected, since people thought sleep

64

was a quiet time, not one in which the brain was actively causing eye movements that were often

faster than could be produced by a waking person.

2. Since then, much more has been learned about rapid eye movement (technically

known as “REM”) during certain stages of sleep. REM sleep is always accompanied by

distinctive brain-wave patterns, an increase in blood flow, irregular breathing and a twisting

of the face and fingertips. REM sleep is active sleep, even though the large muscles of the

body are completely relaxed. The other kind of sleep is known as “NREM” (that is, non-

REM). During this state, breathing is regular, body movement is generally absent, and

brain activity is low. Perception shuts down because the senses are no longer gathering

information and communicating it to the brain. NREM sleep is sometimes called “quiet

sleep” but in one way that is not so; snoring occurs during this state.

3. A number of curious experiences occur at the onset of sleep. The most common

sensation is that of floating or falling, which is why “falling asleep” is a scientifically valid

description. A nearly universal occurrence at the beginning of sleep is a sudden,

uncoordinated jerk of the head or even of the entire body. Most people tend to think of

going to sleep as a slow process, but the onset of sleep is not gradual at all. It happens in

an instant. One moment the individual is awake, the next moment not.

4. The first period of sleep is always NREM. It consists of four stages. During each

stage the sleeper becomes more remote from the sensory environment. Children in

particular can almost never be awakened at the fourth stage. Even if they can finally be

awakened, it may take several minutes before they return to awareness. This deepest

fourth stage is the period during which most of the talking in one’s sleep, sleep-walking,

night terrors, and bed-wetting by children take place. After the fourth stage, the sleeper

retraces all the stages back to lighter sleep. The first REM period begins about seventy or

eighty minutes after a person has fallen asleep and usually lasts for only about ten

minutes. The entire NREM-REM cycle averages about ninety minutes.

5. The two kinds of sleep – as different from each other as sleep is from wakefulness

– continue to alternate throughout the night. With each cycle, the amount of REM sleep

gradually increases, to the degree that it may become as long as 60 minutes just before

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awakening, whereas the amount of NREM sleep decreases markedly. An adult who sleeps

seven and a half hours spends from one and a half to two hours of that period in REM

sleep, mostly toward the end of the sleep period.

6. The new view of sleep is that it is not passive. Rather, it is an active state in which

the brain is never at rest. One theory about human sleep assigns different functions to the

two kinds of sleep. NREM sleep apparently does the things that have traditionally been

assigned by common sense to all sleep: growth, repair of the body’s tissues, and the

synthesis of proteins. NREM sleep is a biological necessity; without it, an individual

eventually would collapse. When someone is deprived of sleep, NREM sleep is usually

made up first. And until the deprivation is compensated for, that person feels lethargic and

less able than usual to carry out physical tasks.

7. REM sleep, in contrast, apparently restores the neural processes underlying

consciousness; it is mental rather than physical. People deprived of it are not physically

lethargic but emotionally irritable; they usually perform poorly in concentration and learning

tests. REM sleep appears to be essential to integrate recently learned material into long-

term memory. Students who stay up all night cramming for an examination the next day

usually do not do as well as those who have had some sleep. The explanation is that the

students have momentarily learned a lot of new facts, but these facts cannot be

remembered unless they have been processed during sleep into memory. REM sleep also

seems to help people cope with day-to-day stress. Experiments have shown that

volunteers who were exposed to stressful situations had a sharply increased need for

REM sleep, during which time they apparently made peace with the traumatic

experiences. Such experiments offer fresh evidence that sleep is one of the most active

parts of person’s day.

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Levels of Sleep: QUESTIONS

PARAGRAPH 1

1. What observation led to the modern understanding of sleep?

_____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Why was the graduate student surprised?

______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 2

3. What happens during REM sleep? Write 3 things.a. _______________________________________________________________

b. _______________________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________________

4. What happens during Non- REM sleep? Write 3 things.a. _______________________________________________________________

b. _______________________________________________________________

c. _______________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 3

5. Why is “falling asleep” a scientifically valid description?

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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6. Do we fall asleep slowly? (Circle the correct answer)YES NO

JUSTIFICATION:

____________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 4 -5

7. Who sleeps most deeply during the NREM period?

__________________________________________________________________

8. When does REM sleep begin?__________________________________________________________________

9. Complete the sentence. The longer we sleep the more _______________________ we have.

PARAGRAPH 6

10.What functions does NREM sleep seem to perform?

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

11. What happens to people who are deprived of NREM sleep?

______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

12. PARAGRAPH 7: What happens to people who are deprived of REM sleep?

______________________________________________________________________

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__________________________________________________________

13. Complete the sentence. (Choose the best answer)

According to paragraph 7, the best way to remember material for an exam is

a. to stay up all night cramming

b. to momentarily learn a lot of new facts

c. to try to cope with the stress of an exam

d. to get enough REM sleep

14.. According to paragraph 7, what are two important functions of REM sleep?

a. ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

b. ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

15. In the experiment with volunteers, what helped them make peace with the traumatic

experiences?

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

16. What idea does the experiment with volunteers seem to prove?

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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Growing Up Male or Female

Decide if you agree or disagree with these statements. Compare with your partner.

1. From the moment of birth, babies are usually treated differently according to their

gender.

2. Today, parents are more likely to bring up boys and girls in a similar way than in the

past.

3. Parents use words about feelings and emotions more with girls than with boys.

4. Mothers tend to talk more politely and fathers tend to use more direct language.

5. Girls are taught to rely on others – especially males – for help.

6. Girls rely more on their beauty than on their intelligence to attract men.

7. Boys are encouraged to be independent and strong and to avoid being "mama's

boys".

8. Boys are taught not to cry.

9. Daughters, more than sons, are socialized to think more about the family, to

remember birthdays, and to care for sick family members.

10.Sons are expected to be more interested in the world outside the family.

11. Daughters are thought to need more protection than sons.

12. Young parents today are likely to socialize their children into more equal gender

roles than in the past.

13. It is difficult to bring up children in a non-sexist way.

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14.Bringing up boys and girls differently leads to both good and bad consequences.

Growing Up Male or Female (686)

From: Academic Encounters: Life in SocietyBy Kristine Brown and Susan Hood, Cambridge, 2002

1. Newborn babies do not know if they are boys or girls, but it does not take them long

to find out. They very quickly learn the way that their society expects males and females to

behave and think. That is, they learn their gender roles.

2. From the moment of birth, babies are usually treated according to their gender. In

the United States and in many other countries, baby girls tend to be dressed in pink clothing

and baby boys in blue. Baby girls are handled more gently than boys. Girls are cuddled and

kissed while boys are bounced around and lifted high in the air. Girls are given dolls, whereas

boys are given cars, trucks, and building blocks. Mothers think a lot about how pretty their little

girls should look, but they are less concerned about their little boys' appearance.

3. When they start to talk, children are taught the difference between the words "he"

and "she" and between "him" and "her." There are also differences in the way parents talk to

their children. Parents use words about feelings and emotions more with girls than with boys,

and, by age 2, girls use these words more than boys do. Furthermore, mothers and fathers talk

differently, because of their socialization. Mothers tend to talk more politely ("Could you turn off

the television, please?") and fathers tend to use more direct language ("Turn off the

television."). By age 4, girls and boys have learned to imitate these conversational styles.

4. Girls are generally taught to be "ladylike" – polite and gentle. They are taught to rely

on others – especially males – for help. They are allowed to express their emotions freely.

Girls learn the importance of being pretty. They may even learn that they must rely more on

their beauty than on their intelligence to attract men. Boys, on the other hand, are taught to

behave "like men." Boys are also encouraged to be independent and strong and to avoid being

"mama's boys." They are told that boys don't cry. If they put on makeup and wear dresses

71

during play their parents are horrified. Therefore, boys grow up with a fear of being feminine,

and, as young men, try to keep up a "macho" image. They may also develop a negative

attitude toward women in adult life (Elkin and Handle 1988; Power and Shanks 1989).

5. Parents also have different social expectations of daughters and sons. Daughters,

more than sons, are socialized to think more about the family, for example, to remember

birthdays, to spend time with the family on holidays, and, when they get older, to provide care

for sick family members and relatives. Sons are not expected to do these things. They are

expected to be more interested in the world outside the family and more independent of the

family in social activities. Daughters are also thought to need more protection than sons, For

example, parents may make their daughters come home earlier at night and forbid them to

places that they might let their sons go to. Such protectiveness often encourages girls to be

less active in exploring their environment.

6. In recent years, though, there has been a trend in many parts of the world to more

gender-neutral socialization. Young parents, female professionals, and well-educated parents,

in particular, are more likely to socialize their children into more equal gender roles. However,

this is not always an easy task. One study of parents who wanted to bring up their children in a

nonsexist way found that it was very difficult to do. The parents complained about toy stores

being filled with gender-specific toys – war toys for boys and domestic toys for girls. They also

commented that while they might be able to give their children gender-neutral toys themselves,

it was difficult to get relatives and friends to do this. Almost all the children in the study owned

and played with gender-specific toys given to them by other people. The parents also found it

hard to fight against the gender lessons of books, the peer group, and school.

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Growing Up Male or Female: Questions

1. a. According to paragraph one, how does the author define "gender roles"?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2. b. What two words helped you find the definition?

________________________________________________________

3. Paragraph 2: What general idea does the following example support?

”Baby girls are handled more gently than boys”

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

3. According to Paragraph 3, why do parents talk differently to their children?

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

4. What does "these conversational styles" refer to (par. 3 last line)?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Paragraph 45. In paragraph 4, how does the author define "ladylike"?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

6. Complete the sentence:

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Whereas girls are generally taught to rely on others, boys are expected to be

_________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 57. What general idea does the following example support?

“Daughters, more than sons, are socialized to think about the family”

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

8. Why do some parents make their daughters come home earlier at night than their

sons?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

9.What is a possible result of making daughters come home earlier than sons?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Paragraph 6

10.Circle the best answer:

The meaning of "gender-neutral socialization" in paragraph 6 is:

a. bringing up boys and girls according to gender

b. bringing up boys and girls differently

c. bringing up boys and girls to be neutral

d. bringing up boys and girls the same way

11.According to paragraph 6, what is not an easy task?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

12. Give 3 reasons why it is difficult to bring up children in a non- sexist way?

a.__________________________________________________________________

b.__________________________________________________________________

c.__________________________________________________________________

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13. Circle the best answer: The main idea of the entire article is:

a. Newborn babies do not know if they are boys or girls.

b. Girls are taught to be ladylike and boys are taught to be "macho."

c. The process of socialization is different for males and females.

d. Gender-neutral socialization is difficult to achieve.

Can Stress Make Us Sick?

I.THINKING ABOUT THE TOPIC: Discuss these questions with your neighbor.

1. How do you know when you are suffering from stress? What are the symptoms?

2. How do you handle stress?

3. Do you get stressed easily? Why/why not?

4. What do you do to reduce stress in your life? How do you relax?

5. What circumstances cause you to feel stress you the most?

6. Do you think life is more stressful now than in the past? Why/ why not?

7. Do you think your life will become more stressful in the future?

8. Which life events do you think are the most stressful? (e.g. learning to drive; losing

your job; taking an exam; starting a new job; money problems; migrating to a

strange country; getting married)?

9. What do you do to help your family of friends when they are stressed?

10.Do you agree with the following statement? Why?

“When people say they can’t handle stress, they mean that they can’t handle

responsibility.”

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II. Rank the following occupations in order of how stressful you think they are. Compare your list with your partner:

doctor mother student miner lawyer reporter salesperson

computer-programmer accountant fire-fighter teacher policeman politician

street-cleaner dentist

Can Stress Make You Sick? (533)

1. Scientists are now studying a new field of research called psychoimmunology. It is

based on the idea that people who are depressed or have a lot of stress are more

likely to become sick. Researchers have recently found a connection between

diseases and stressful situations. To test this theory, psychoimmunologists are

trying to find a link between the brain and the immune system.

2. The immune system in our body fights the bacteria and viruses which cause

disease. Therefore, whether or not we are likely to get various diseases depends on

how well our immune system works. Biologists used to think that the immune

system was a separate, independent part of our bodies. Recently, however, they

have found that our brain can affect our immune system. This discovery indicates

that there may be a connection between emotional factors, such as stress or

depression, and illness.

3. Although many doctors in the past suspected a connection between emotional

factors and disease, they had no proof. Scientists have only recently discovered

how the brain and the immune system function. Before this, no one could see a link

between them. As a result, medical science never seriously considered the idea

that psychological factors could cause disease.

76

4. Several recent studies showed a connection between stress and illness. For

example, researchers went to an American military school to study the students. By

studying the students’ blood, they found that many were infected with a virus which

causes mononucleosis, a common glandular disease. Of the infected students, only

5% actually became ill. The sick students had a lot of academic pressure and

wanted to achieve, but they were not very good students. In a similar study,

researchers studied a group of student nurses. They focused on cold sores, which

are also caused by a common virus. Many student nurses carried the virus in their

blood, but few of these infected nurses actually developed cold sores. The nurses

who did develop cold sores were the ones who described themselves as generally

unhappy people.

5. In addition to these results, which support their theory, researchers are also looking

for proof that stress can damage the immune system. Researchers studied recently

bereaved people, i.e., people whose loved ones have just died, because they are

more likely to become ill or die. By examining the immune system of recently

bereaved people, the researchers made an important discovery. They examined

white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which are an important part of the immune

system. The lymphocytes in the immune system of recently bereaved people were

not functioning properly. The fact that they were not working correctly indicates that

severe psychological stress, such as a loved one’s death, may damage an

important part of our immune system, namely, the lymphocytes.

6. There is still no positive proof of a link between the immune system and

psychological states. Researchers also say that the results of the studies on

bereaved people could have a different explanation. For example, bereaved people

often eat and sleep less than normal. Or may drink alcohol or take medication.

These factors can also affect the immune system. More research is needed to

clearly establish the connection between the immune system and psychological

factors.

77

Can Stress Make You Sick? – Questions

PARAGRAPH 1

1. According to scientists, which group of people is more likely to become sick?

__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

2. What does “this theory” (paragraph 1, line 5) refer to?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 2

3. What is the role of our immune system?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

78

4. What does our tendency to get various diseases depend on? ( 6 words only)

__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

5. What does “This discovery” (par. 2, line 6) refer to? ( 7 words only)

__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

6. What is a possible result of this discovery?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 37. Why did doctors in the past never seriously consider the link between emotional

factors and disease? ( 4 words only)

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

8. What does the word “them” (paragraph 3, line 4) refer to?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 49. In the two experiments in paragraph 4, very few of the infected students actually

became ill. Why? (Circle the correct answer)

a. Because they were not very good students.

b. Because they were carrying a virus which cause disease

79

c. Because they participated in a medical experiment

d. Because they had emotional problems that the others didn’t have.

PARAGRAPH 510.a. Who are bereaved people?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

b. Why did researchers study them?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

11.Was the immune system of recently bereaved people working well?

YES NO (Circle one)

JUSTIFICATION:____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

12. What does the experiment with recently bereaved people suggest?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

PARAGRAPH 6

13. What factors may also affect the immune system of bereaved people?

a.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

80

b.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

13. Does the author think that there is a clear connection between emotional factors

and the immune system?

YES NO (Circle the correct answer)JUSTIFICATION:

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

What's the Most Stressful Job in the World? (1138)

By: Deborah Shaw Lewis

Adapted from: Motherhood Stress, World Publishing Co., 1989

1. No one disputes that motherhood is wonderful. However, what continues to surprise people is

that stress - so often associated with office jobs - is a real factor in the lives of mothers, too .In

fact, the degree of stress and the symptoms it can cause are substantial. Yet - and this is even more

remarkable - mothers themselves have been slow to recognize their symptoms as stress-related. And

even mothers who work outside the home, who expect to feel tension in their "real' jobs, are

surprised to find that their domestic duties are stress-producing as well. The reality is that the work

of being a mother generally produces pressures that are equal to the most challenging of

professions, in addition to providing unique ones of its own. Some of these pressures are discussed

below.

Unpredictability

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2. A certain amount of novelty can be positive in any job. It reduces boredom and stimulates

creativity and productivity. But novelty taken to the extreme of unpredictability can create

tremendous tension - and motherhood is actually synonymous with unpredictability. Just as each

day of childrearing is unpredictable, so too is each child. No mother can predict how a child will

develop physically, emotionally, socially, regardless of how an older child progresses.

Lack of Control

3. Many studies show that the less control employees have over their daily work, the more stress

they experience. Full-time mothers, who typically have very little control over how they spend their

time, are no exception. And while feelings such as these - that is, having very little control - last

throughout motherhood, they often intensify when a new baby is added to the family. In the world

of work, this is analogous to getting yet another boss. And studies about job-stress have shown that

the more bosses a person has, the greater the potential for stress.

Power Overload

4. Everyone recognizes that some kinds of stress come with jobs that require making life-or-death

decisions. And yet, every day, mothers labor under such stressful conditions. The responsibilities

that they assume in safeguarding the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of their

children is staggering. As Anna Quinlan, a weekly columnist in The New York Times, states,

"Mothers have the power to make children feel good or bad about themselves, which is the greatest

power in the world.”

Poor Job Training

5. Insufficient preparation is another stress-producer in the work place. Most employers today

recognize this problem and provide their workers with job training and orientation. Yet training is

neither required nor available for the job of motherhood. Most women usually acquire their

knowledge of mothering through trial and error, a situation which is guaranteed to lead to days of

worrying about whether they are doing the job "right". In fact, it's impossible for a mother to feel

that she has mastered the job because, as one young mother laments, “Just when you think that you

know what you are doing with your infant, she becomes a toddler."

Unrealistic Expectations and Unclear Priorities

6. Given the consequences of the job of a mother, many women try to be "perfect” mothers. And

yet, in any other job, success is not only easier to attain, but is also more easily measured. When

you complete a business deal, deliver a speech, or type letters, tangible evidence of your work exists

82

to demonstrate your skill and effectiveness. This is not so with motherhood.

7. "Before my baby was born, 1 fantasized about my daily routine," says a young mother whose son

is not yet two. "1 imagined I would clean the house in the morning before the baby woke up. Then

we would go for a long walk and do many stimulating and interesting things together. And we'd be

the picture of calmness when Daddy got home in the evening. 1 soon found out that taking care of a

baby doesn't work that way. 1 found it very stressful because I've always been an organized person,

and I couldn't understand why my life was suddenly so disorganized."

8. The fact is that planning and organization, basic skills which are required for success in many

jobs, cannot ensure success as a mother. It isn't that planning and organizing are of absolutely no

value to mothers. The problem is that one can't schedule the needs of children and family in the

same way that one can juggle business appointments. Several tasks which require a mother's

attention may be of equal importance, so that it is difficult to decide which takes precedence.

Furthermore, all such priorities can change depending on the circumstances. For example, one often

finds that the most menial task )e.g., doing laundry( absolutely must be done on a given day, while a

much more meaningful task )such as taking the children to the library( can be put off indefinitely.

Having to make such choices is stressful in itself. Whichever decision a mother makes, she is still

left feeling guilty or frustrated, or both.

Inadequate Feedback

9. Many studies have shown that the amount of evaluation a person receives on the job, along with

the tone )positive or negative( of that evaluation, and the timing of the evaluation affect the amount

of stress that the worker will experience. Usually, mothers lose out in all three cases. There is no

periodic evaluation of the work of a mother, no supervisor to tell her she's doing a good job, and it

is very hard for her to evaluate her own performance.

10. Even more stressful may be to receive negative criticism from husband, parents, in-laws, or

even friends who disapprove of her childrearing methods. And even believing that she has done

what is best for herself and her family does not always ease the stress such pressure can produce.

Over time, especially when those negative remarks continue, a woman may begin to doubt herself.

And when self-esteem plummets, stress rises.

83

Low Status

11. Society tells us that mothers are valued. Yet, the low status granted to mothers denies this. Even

working women - who should know better - think a full-time mother's time is expendable. Neither

are women who hold jobs immune to the belittling of their mothering roles. For example, a divorced

mother of two school-aged children stated that while she was valued by her boss as a highly skilled

and professional employee, she was criticized by the same boss for calling home each afternoon to

make sure that her children had arrived home safely from school. Obviously, her being a concerned

parent was of no value to the company she worked for.

12. And last but not of lesser importance, is the small issue of salary. Because full-time mothers do

not bring home a salary for functions they perform, it is very easy for them to feel that their work

isn't valued.

What's the Most Stressful Job in the World –QUESTIONS

1. According to paragraph 1, what are two surprising facts about motherhood?

i. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

ii. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

2. Novelty in a job can have advantages and disadvantages. What is the advantage of novelty

and what is the disadvantage? )paragraph 2(

84

Advantage: ________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Disadvantage: ______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

3. How is the job of a full-time mother similar to an employee who gets another boss?

)paragraph 3(

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

4. What are some of the responsibilities that make the job of a mother especially stressful?

)paragraph 4(

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

5. What reason is given for motherhood stress in paragraph 5? Why does the author believe

this is stressful?

__________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

6. What idea does the example of the young mother in paragraph 7 support?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

7. Why are planning and organization often useless for a mother? )paragraph 8(

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

8. According to paragraphs 9 and 10, all mothers need more

i. common sense.

85

ii. serenity of spirit.

iii. selfishness.

iv. positive reinforcement.

9. Paragraph 11: Decide if the following statement is TRUE or FALSE,

Society treats mothers in a contradictory way.

TRUE FALSE )circle one(

Justification:

_____________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

9. According to the entire article, list 8 factors which contribute to motherhood stress.i. _______________________________________________________________ii. _______________________________________________________________iii. _______________________________________________________________iv. _______________________________________________________________v. _______________________________________________________________vi. _______________________________________________________________vii. _______________________________________________________________viii. __________________________________________________________________

Gender Issues Today

A. Chat: In pairs, translate these words. Then predict what the article will be about.

a full-time job / investment banking / raising children / role overload /

household chores / employed women / balancing / combining / wages /

unpaid work / implementing a scheme / self-concept / self-confidence

A. Opinions: Read each statement carefully and decide if you agree or disagree with it. Then discuss your opinion with your partner.

86

1. If both a woman and a man apply for the same job, it is the man who

will usually get the position.

2. A woman should not combine a full-time job with raising her children.

3. Women are better at nurturing and taking care of children than men.

4. When a couple gets married, it is the woman's job to clean the house

and do the cooking for the family.

5. Husbands should do an equal share of the housework, the childcare,

and the cooking.

6. Governments should pay people for doing housework.

7. Women who stay at home have a negative self-concept.

8. Women who are employed outside the home have more self-

confidence.

9. Women are likely to live longer than men.

10.Male children are generally preferred over female children.

11.There are advantages and disadvantages to being a modern woman.

Gender Issues Today (791)

From: Academic Encounters: Life in SocietyBy Kristine Brown and Susan Hood, Cambridge, 2002

Balancing Home and Work

1. Here is one woman's story of balancing home and career. Rachel always dreamed of

having a large family and an interesting career. She now has four children and works full-

time.

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"I really have two full-time jobs. My job in the city is in investment bank-ing and I

really like it. It's interesting and important. My other job is at home – raising four kids

and keeping the household going. I like this job too, and though it's not always

interesting, I know it's important. But when I'm not cleaning up the kitchen after a

meal, or picking up the kids' things from the floor for the millionth time, or feeding

the dog, then I'm falling asleep during my youngest daughter's piano practice. When

I do have some free time, I've usually got a headache. The reality is that, most of

the time, it's just too much."

Role Overload2. Rachel has role overload. That is, she has difficulty combining the roles of worker and

of wife and mother. Role overload is one of the disadvantages that today's women face.

While both parents are more "stretched" when the woman of the household works, it is

usually the woman who does most of the childcare and housework. Most studies

investigating housework conclude that women (whether employed or not) do "the lion's

share" of housework and childcare. An Australian study, for example, found that employed

wives did 69.3 hours of unpaid work around the house during a two-week period while

employed husbands did approximately 31.2 hours. A study by Bird (1999) shows a similar

picture for U. S. households. In this study of 1,256 adults, Bird showed that while working

women certainly want an equal share of housework, they "shoulder the main burden" by

doing approximately twice as much as their spouses. Her study showed that after

marriage, women work 14 hours more on household chores per week, while their

husbands work only 90 minutes more.

Value of Housework3. There have been some attempts in the United States, Europe, and Australia over the

past few decades to encourage governments to pay people for the housework they do. A

United States organization called The Wages for Housework Campaign argued for many

years that housework was boring and degrading because it was unpaid, and that payment

would improve the status of women in society overall. More recently they have argued for

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housewives to be included in the labor force and for unpaid housework to be included in

calculations of a nation's wealth, for example, the gross national product (GNP). They

have argued that this would make housework more visible, and could possibly lead to

greater investment in programs to help women.

4. So far, no government has seriously considered paying people for housework. This

is not surprising when you consider how difficult it would be to implement such a scheme.

The first problem would be to determine how much people would be paid. In 1995 the

United Nations estimated the annual value of women's unpaid work at $11 trillion

worldwide. An Australian government study in 1991 calculated that if someone was to be

paid to do all the housework in one home it would be worth 400 Australian dollars a week

(equivalent to about 250 U.S. dollars at that time). However, there would be more

problems to "iron out". Would everyone get the same amount? Which tasks would and

would not be paid for? How would the government know if the work was done?

Other Consequences of Being a Woman5. Role overload is not the only disadvantage women of today may experience. A

negative self-concept and lack of self-confidence are other disadvantages. In a study in

which woman and men were told they were incapable of performing a mental task, the

women were more likely than the men to believe that they were incapable (Wagner et al.

1986). Another study showed that women are more likely to think their success is due to

luck than to their own ability (Heimovics and Herman 1988). A further problem for many

mothers is the difficulty they have in finding new interests and activities when their children

leave home.

6. But there are also advantages to being a modern woman. One is the likelihood of

living longer. In 1998 in the United States, average life expectance for men was 73.9,

whereas for women it was 79.4. Other advantages are being able to express emotions

more easily, having a closer bond with children, and not having one's identity tied to

employment. One big advantage today is that women have so many options. It is socially

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acceptable to work full-time if you have children, but it is also acceptable to be a full-time

mother and stay at home, or to work part-time.

Gender Issues Today

Balancing Home and Work

1. What are Rachel's two full-time jobs?

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a. _______________________________________________

b. _______________________________________________

2. What is the point of Rachel's story? Circle the correct answer.

a. that you should not work full-time if you are a woman with children.

b. that it can be difficult to combine full-time work and raising a family.

c. that women do most of the housework even if they work full-time.

d. It would be better if a woman would not work outside the home.

Role Overload

3. How does the writer define "role overload"?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. What idea does the result of the Australian study support? ________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________ _________

5. Decide if the following statement is TRUE or FALSE.

The result of a study by Bird is different than the result of the Australian study.

TRUE FALSE (CIRCLE ONE)

JUSTIFICATION:

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

6. Circle the correct answer: "the lion's share of housework" is an expression which means:

a. the hardest housework

b. the most frightening housework

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c. most of the housework

Value of Housework

7. Why does The Wages for Housework Campaign think that housework is boring and

degrading for women?

________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

8. What information can you find in paragraph 4 to suggest that governments will never

pay people to do housework?

a.______________________________________________________

b. _____________________________________________________

c. ______________________________________________________

d.______________________________________________________

Other Consequences of Being a Woman

9. According to this section, what are 4 disadvantages of being a woman today?

a. ________________________________________________________

b. ________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________

d. ________________________________________________________

10. According to this section, what are 5 advantages of being a woman today?

a. ________________________________________________________

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b. ________________________________________________________

c. ________________________________________________________

d. ________________________________________________________

e. ________________________________________________________

SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following near synonyms from the text.

a. employed 1. make better

b. capable 2. mix together

c. an equal share 3. carry out

d. wages 4. having a job

e. improve 5. the way you think of yourself

f. consider something 6. try

g. self-concept 7. able to do something

h. similar 8. almost the same

i. attempt 9. salary

j. implement 10. the same amount

k. combine 11. think about

Phrase Match: Match the following phrases from the text. (Sometimes more than one

combination is possible).

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a. Most studies conclude that 1. have many options

b. Employed wives 2. can lead to a headache

c. Housework is boring and degrading 3. in the labor force

d. There are many problems 4. women do most of the housework

e. It is not easy to implement 5. to iron out

f. House wives should be included 6. do the lion's share of housework

g. Role overload 7. the government's scheme

h. Women today 8. because it is unpaid

Test each other: Can you identify the prefix or the suffix in these words?

Do you remember how these words were used in the text?

overload acceptable

degrading unequal

disadvantage employer

unpaid encourage

incapable payment

PERSONALIZING THE TOPIC

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Fill in the table for your family. Put an (x) in the appropriate column.

Who does each job in your family? Male Female Shared equally

General straightening up

Vacuuming

Cleaning bathrooms

Washing floors

Shopping for food

Cooking meals

Cleaning up after meals

Childcare

Taking children to school, sports

Doing household repairs

Paying bills

Laundry

Organizing social events

1. Compare your answers with your group.a. Who does the most housework – males or females?b. What jobs do males usually do?c. What jobs do females usually do?

d. What factors influence who does certain jobs?

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A Cultural Difference (424)

1. In the United States it is important to be on time, or punctual, for an appointment,

a class, a meeting, etc. This may not be true in all countries, however. An

American professor discovered this difference while teaching a class in a Brazilian

university. The two hour class was scheduled to begin at 10 AM and end at 12

PM. On the first day, when the professor arrived on time, no one was in the

classroom. Many students came after 11 AM. Although all the students greeted

the professor as they arrived, few apologized for their lateness. Were these

students being rude? He decided to study the students' behavior.

2.The professor talked to American and Brazilian students about lateness in both a

formal and informal situation: lunch with a friend and a university class,

respectively. He gave them an example and asked how they would react. If they

had a lunch appointment with a friend, the average American student defined

lateness as 19 minutes after the agreed time. On the other hand, the average

Brazilian student felt that the friend was late after 33 minutes.

3. In an American university, students are expected to arrive at the appointed hour.

In contrast, in Brazil, neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour. Classes not only begin at the scheduled time in the United

States, but they also end at the scheduled time. In the Brazilian class, only a few

students left the class at noon; many remained past 12:30 to discuss the class and

ask more questions. While arriving late may not be very important in Brazil, neither

is staying late.

4.The explanation for these differences is complicated. People from Brazilian and

North American cultures have different feelings about lateness. In Brazil, the

students believe that a person who usually arrives late is probably more

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successful than a person who is always on time. In fact, Brazilians expect a

person with status or prestige to arrive late, while in the United States, lateness is

usually considered to be disrespectful and unacceptable. Consequently, if a

Brazilian is late for an appointment with a North American, the American may

misinterpret the reason for the lateness and become angry.

5.As a result of his study, the professor learned that the Brazilian students were not

being disrespectful to him. Instead, they were simply behaving in the appropriate

way for a Brazilian student in Brazil. Eventually, the professor was able to adapt

his own behavior to feel comfortable in the new culture.

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A Cultural Difference - QUESTIONS

Paragraph 11. Why did the professor study the Brazilian students' behavior?

a. He wanted to know why they greeted him when they came in.b. He wanted to understand why the students came late.c. He wanted to make the students understand American culture.

2. What does punctual mean? (para 1, line 1)___________________________________________________________

3. What does "few" refer to? (para 1, line 6) ___________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2

4. a. What example does the writer give of an informal situation?______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

b. What example does the writer give of a formal situation?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5. What do the words "on the other hand" show about the American idea of lateness and the Brazilian idea of lateness (par. 2, line 5)?(Choose the best answer)

a. It shows a similarity.

b. It gives more information.

c. It shows a contrast.

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Paragraph 36. "Neither the teacher nor the students always arrive at the appointed hour."

(par. 3, line 2) Who arrives at the appointed hour? (Choose the best answer)

a. no oneb. only the studentsc. the teacher and the students

Paragraph 4 -57. What does "in fact" indicate? (par. 4, line 4)

a. a contrast between two ideasb. an additional ideac. emphasis on the previous idea

8. Complete the following sentence using the words from the following list.important stupid rude clever

a. If I were a Brazilian and my friend came late to a meeting, I would think he was

_____________________________________________________

b. If I were a American and my friend came late to a meeting, I would think he was

_____________________________________________________

9. What is the main idea of the entire article? (Choose the best answer.)a. It is important to be on time for class in the United States.

b. People learn the importance of time when they are children.

c. The importance of being on time differs among different cultures.

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