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ADVANCE: ADULTS
Childfree movement
Today, we'll discuss making life choices and, in particular, the decision to have or not to have children.

Choose the demographics

  • Are you surprised by the results of the study? Why (not)?
  • Can you speculate on possible reasons for such result?

Agree or disagree with the sentences in relation to your country

  • Nuclear families nowadays aren't as widespread as extended families because housing is not very affordable and couples decide to live together with their parents or in-laws.
  • It's common for children to have step-parents and half-brothers or half-sisters today.
  • The majority of single-parent families nowadays consist of a mother and a child, and many children grow up without a father figure.

Read the examples and figure out the meaning of the words in bold

  1. Wow, you've made me look at our situation from a whole new perspective!
  2. People have all sorts of preconceptions when it comes to other people choosing to live in a different way than what they're used to.
  3. Have you ever had second thoughts after making a decision?
  4. Just don't be narrow-minded and intolerant of alternative opinions.
  5. My sisters' pregnancies were an eye-opening experience which made me rethink my opinion about childbirth.
  6. My mother tried to make me change my mind, but her arguments weren't really convincing.
  7. Some people realise they want to opt out of parenting for good.
  8. Some research says that people disinclined to have children are helping the environment.
  9. Some people are keen on giving unsolicited advice about parenting.

Use the words from the previous exercise and tell your opinion about modern family trends

  • Do you think men should be able to legally opt out of fatherhood? What are the possible pros and cons of such a decision?
  • Is it possible to get rid of preconceptions and narrow-minded judgement completely? Why (not)?
  • What do you do when you are disinclined to agree with a person's position? Do you stand your ground or prefer not to confront them?

Listen to the podcast and choose the speakers

  • Can you name the reasons they mentioned for being childfree?
  • Do you think these people provide valid reasons?

Order the words to make sentences and answer the questions

  1. In which sentence can you find a verb in the passive voice after the subject?
  2. In sentence 2, is the infinitive (to be) connected to the object (this world) or the subject (he) of the sentence?
  3. What preposition is used to refer to the object in sentence 3?
  4. In which sentence, 4 or 5, does the person see the complete action, from its beginning to the end?

Create 3 sentences about parenthood using Complex object grammar

Choose the correct options to complete the sentences

Watch the video and discuss the questions

  • What regrets might a person who decided not to have children have?
  • Do you agree that people who decide to become teachers tend to like children? Why (not)?
  • Does society pressure women to have children? In your opinion, why?

Homework

Listen to the stories and answer the questions

  1. How does Mark uphold his choice not to have children?
  2. Did he ever expect to have any regrets? What did he use to think about regrets in connection with children?
  3. What does he regret now?
  4. Why didn't Christine's husband want to have children?
  5. Was she entirely happy with this decision? How did she feel?
  6. What does she regret?

Prepare to talk on a subject: What regrets might a person who decided not to have children have?

In your answer use the grammar and vocabulary of the today's lesson
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