On Thursday I will have to decide what I want myself to　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   1. ________

do over a weekend. I am thinking of making a trip　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 2. ________

to London, and visit the British Museum and some　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 3. ________

parks. But I have spent most my money, so I cannot　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 4. ________

even go out of town. I may go to a film, or a concert.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   5. ________

Yes, a concert can be very excited. You can watch your　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 6. ________

stars while enjoying your favorite music. So then, a　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   7. ________

concert cost so much. I may just listen to music. I have　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    8. ________

some records giving to me as birthday gifts. If I listen　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　   9. ________

to my own records, there are no need to spend money.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　  10. ________

All right. That’s what I’m going to do.

In the past, American families tended to be quite large. Parents raising five or more children were common. Over the years, the size of the family has decreased.

One reason for this is an increase in the cost of living. On the average, children attend schools for more years than they used to, making them financially dependent on their families longer. Moreover, children nowadays are better dressed and have more money to spend on entertainment. The parents usually take the responsibility for all the expenses. Meanwhile, families are less close than they used to

be. More and more American mothers work away from home.

The break up of the family occurs when the parents divorce. A lot of children in the U. S. live part of their young lives with only one parent. Broken families usually result in problems for children and parents alike. Children blame themselves when their parents separate. They grow up feeling

unsettled as they are moved back and forth between parents. Usually one parent is responsible for raising the children. These single parents must care for the children’s emotional and psychological needs while also supporting them financially. This is very demanding and leaves very little time for the parent’s own personal interests. Single parents often marry other single parents. In this type of family, unrelated children are forced to develop brother or sister relationship.

The situations of many American families today are not good. However, recent signs indicate that things are getting better. The divorce rate is declining. The rate of childbirth is rising. Perhaps Americans have learned how important families are.