* Read the passage and choose the correct answers.
The changing roles of the modern father
Fathers used to act as the “breadwinner” of their family, and as the teacher of moral and religious values.
Today, however, those roles are gradually changing.
Changes in economic roles: More and more women are going out to work and earn money. This increases the budget of the family. Apart from that, there are various social welfare programmes which financially assist mothers in supporting their children. Both these changes have greatly impacted the role of fathers because they make paternal financial support less essential for many families.
Changes in caregiving roles: With the burden of financial support reduced, and with a changing concept of a father’s role, modern fathers tend to be more involved in children’s caregiving. They are now spending more time and energy on their children.
Psychological research across families from all ethnic backgrounds suggests that the influence of a father’s love and attention is as great as that of a mother’s. Fatherly love helps children develop a sense of their place in the world, which helps their social and emotional development. Moreover,
children who receive more love from their fathers are less likely to have behavioural problems.
This trend is still increasing and its effects will become clearer and clearer in the future especially in traditionally male-dominated societies.
1. Which of these is NOT the traditional role of a father?
A. caregiver B. financial supporter C. religious educator D. teacher of moral values
2. Social welfare programmes …………………….
A. train caregivers B. support families financially
C. help mothers with domestic abuse D. educate fathers about their responsibilities
3. The influence of a mother’s love is ……………………that of the father’s.
A. as important as C. much greater than B. less important than A. more important than
4. Children who get more fatherly love will ……………………behavioural problems.
A. have more B. have fewer C. have a lot of D. never have any
5. The changing roles of the father will be seen more clearly in …………………….
A. ethnic groups B. developed countries
C. economically independent societies D. traditionally male-dominated societies
6. The word various in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to …………………….
A. no B. only C. a few D. many
7. The word paternal in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to …………………….
A. social B. private C. fatherly D. motherly
8. The word who in paragraph 4 refers to …………………….
A. fathers B. mothers C. children D. development
