Families have a great-great future. Twenty years ago, the typical extended family was 'wide'. It usually consisted of two or three generations, with many children in each 'nuclear family'. People had lots of aunts and uncles but often didn't know their grandparents. However, according to a new study by the British research group Mintel, the family is changing shape. Here are some of their predictions:
1. Most children will know their great-grandparents (and even great-great-grandparents) because people are living longer.
2. Very few children will have brothers or sisters, and it will be common to be an only child. As a result, future generations will not have many cousins either.
3. Many people will grow up isolated from other children and young adults. This will make them more selfish and introverted.
4. More couples will divorce and re-marry, some more than once. They may have children with their new partners, so many children will have a stepmother or stepfather and half-brothers or sisters.
5. There will be more single-parent families.
Задание 3. ответьте на вопросы к тексту.
1. What is extended family?
2. Did people have lots of aunts and uncles 20 years ago? Did they know them?
3. Will future generations have many cousins? Why?
4. Why will people be more selfish?
5. Will there be more single-parent families? Why do you think so?
