Question

Parents often think 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) and social confidence, especially if it is the time that 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 (兄弟姐妹), 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 co-author Susan McHale, a professor of human development at Pennsylvania State University.

“Time with Dad often involves joking, teasing, and other playful interactions. Fathers, compared to mothers, were more involved in leisure activities and had more peer-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 most families in the country today that I’m not sure how much we can generalize from it. In my community in Westchester County, I don’t see parents and teenagers spend 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 to 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 members will spend more time together

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

A. Unconcerned B. Favorable.

C. Doubtful. D. Puzzled.

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

A. The research by Susan McHale.

B. The work to be done.

C. Parents’ encouragement.

D. The time parents spending together with their kids.

4.Where is the passage most likely to be taken from?

A. Science magazine. B. A news report.

C. A research plan. D. An advertisement.

Answer 1