Question

Parents often assume that time spent with their kids will gradually decrease in adolescence. But a new study suggests that while teens try to avoid spending a lot of time together with their parents, private parent-child meetings may actually increase in their early adolescent years. And that may raise a teenager’s self-esteem (自尊) an social confidence, especially if it is time spent with Dad, the researchers added.

The researchers created a long-term study in which they invited families in 16 school districts in central Pennsylvania to participate. In each family, a teenager, a younger sibling, their mother and their father were interviewed at home and then asked about their activities and self-worth five times over a period of seven years.

The study authors were surprised to discover that when fathers spent more time alone with their teenagers, the kids reported they felt better about themselves. Something about the father’s role in the family seemed to improve self-esteem among the teenagers in the study, said study author Susan McHale, a professor of human development at Pennsylvania State University.

“Time spent with Dad often involves joking, teasing and other playful interactions. Fathers, as compared to mothers, were more involved in leisure activities and had more friend-like interactions with their children, which is crucial for youth social development,” the study showed.

But Marta Flaum, a psychologist in Chappaqua , New York, said, “How these findings reflect the real world is a real question. The sample in the study is so small and so unrepresentative of more families in the country today that I’m not sure how much we can generalizing from it. In my community, in Westchester County, I don’t see parents and teenagers spending much time together at all. Parents are often working so hard and have less time to be together with their kids.”

However, Flaum encourages parents tom make time for their kids no matter how much work they have to do. “Research like this reminds us of how important it is. The time we have with them is so short, ” she said.

1.According to the study, when teenagers spend more time alone with their fathers, ________.

A. their social skills will be improved

B. their fathers will better understand them

C. they will be willing to help their siblings

D. their family will spend more time together

2.What is Flaun’s attitude towards the findings of the study?

A. Unconcerned B. Favorable C. Puzzled D. Skeptical

3.What does the underlined word “it” in the last paragraph probably refer to?

A. The research by Susan McHale.

B. The work to be done.

C. Parents’ encouragement.

D. Parents’ making time for their kids.

4.Where is the passage more likely to have been taken from?

A. A science magazine B. A news report

C. A research plan D. an advertisement

Answer 1