Part Four

Social Life

Chapter I Chapter I The Family The Family

The concept of the English family The concept of the English family is certainly an elastic one. British is certainly an elastic one. British society is based on family life and society is based on family life and the family is a self-contained the family is a self-contained economic and social unit.economic and social unit.

I. MarriageI. Marriage Most girls and nearly all men are well over Most girls and nearly all men are well over

eighteen when they get married.eighteen when they get married. Marriage marks the beginning of a new and Marriage marks the beginning of a new and

independent family.independent family. The man used to be entirely responsible for her The man used to be entirely responsible for her

financial support and she for the management of financial support and she for the management of the new home.the new home.

Engagement ring and Wedding ringEngagement ring and Wedding ring For the wedding, many British couples go to For the wedding, many British couples go to

church.church. The newlyweds live separately from their The newlyweds live separately from their

parents in complete financial independence.parents in complete financial independence.

II. Changing Values and Norms of the British Family

Rise in the number of single person households

In the past people got married and stayed married, but now many couples live together without getting married.

In the past people married before they had children, but now about 40% are born to unmarried parents.

People are getting married at a later age now and many women do not have children soon.

The number of single-parent family is increasing.

III. Housing

The first essential after marriage is a place to live in.

Housing in Britain is better than in most countries in the world.

Couples put their money together and start saving for a house.

The house is usually unfurnished, they had to buy their own furniture.

IV. Meals

British meals are an important element in family life, because British meals have a great cementing effect on family life.

Meals are rather formal affairs and are usually not shared with outsiders. Visits at meal time are impolite.

1. Breakfast: often a rather hurried and informal meal--- fresh milk

2. Midday lunch: from about 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

small quantity of soup: first course main course: meat( beef, lamp), potatoes and

other vegetables. dessert or sweet

3. Afternoon tea: at about 5 o’clock with bread, butter and cakes

4. Dinner: at seven or eight o’clock, sometimes sumptuous

V. Clothes

Man: pants and vest shirt with long sleeves and tie woollen pullover or cardigan suit or sports jacket grey trousers and dark or tweed jackets Woman: lighter and prettier tights, girdle, brassiere, slip dress or skirt with blouse or jumper trousers instead of skirt

VI. Housework

The wife usually does the housework. Nowadays most husbands help with this. Shopping, cooking, cleaning rooms, washing Modern devices make the worker easier.

VII. Children The newlyweds are not usually eager to

have a baby without a good deal of money.

Many couples try to restrict the number of their children to two or three.

British children have a lot of toys to play with.

Corporal punishment is hardly used at home.

The End

Types of house

The British people traditionally like to live on small houses: two floors with a garden at the front and back.

Detached house Semi-detached house The terraced house Council House

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Full breakfast

Commonly begins with a cereal, like corn-flakes, to which milk and sugar are added. Then fried egg, bacon or sausages may follow with fried bread or fried potatoes. Buttered slices of toast conclude the meal, and tea or coffee is drunk with it.

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