为人父母并不容易，有些家长选择把小孩送到托儿所或请保姆照看，而另一些则在家全职带孩子。“全职奶爸” 或许曾被视为另类，但如今这一身份开始被更多人接受。本期 “随身英语” 节目围绕为 “带娃” 而选择不上班的父亲展开讨论。

词汇：parenthood 为人父母

There aren’t many parents who would say that raising children is easy. For many people, having children can force parents to choose between career and family. Sometimes it comes down to finances – sending a child to nursery or hiring a nanny can be a huge financial burden that is unsustainable, while others may feel it’s better to be a hands-on parent. These days, more and more men are choosing to stay at home to look after their offspring. So why are more dads opting to put their careers on hold, and what does the job entail?

With more women working outside the home than 70 years ago, if the need is there for one parent to stay at home, it could simply come down to who earns more – the biggest breadwinner. And with attitudes changing towards a man’s role in the family, it seems to be easier for them to enter full-time parenthood. Sadly, though, many men still face stigmas by choosing to raise their child. A 2013 study in the US by the Pews Research Center found that 51% of people thought children were better off if a mother is home and doesn’t have a job, while 8% say the same about a father. But what do parents have to do when they choose to stay with their kids?

In the early stages, a baby is totally dependent on a carer. The changing of nappies, burping after milk and making sure they feed on time are just some of the vital 24-7 activities an infant relies on. During this period, many parents take paternity and maternity leave from work. But as a child gets older, it can become less about necessity and more about choice. Rather than opt for a creche, which can prove expensive, either parent may remain at home to educate, protect and play with their child to help them develop and grow.

It’s a difficult job, with a demanding boss, but it can also be incredibly rewarding for those willing to do it. And with attitudes changing towards who should stay at home, maybe more and more fathers will choose to become stay-at-home dads.  

词汇表

raise 养育
nursery 托儿所
nanny 保姆
burden 负担
hands-on 事事参与，亲力亲为
look after 照顾，照料
offspring 子女
dad 爸爸
breadwinner 挣钱养家糊口的人
parenthood 为人父母
carer 护工，护理员
nappy 尿布
burp 拍嗝
feed 吃奶，吃东西
infant 婴儿
paternity leave （父亲）陪产假
maternity leave 产假
creche 日托中心

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What things are mentioned that may force parents to choose between career and family?

2. True or False? There were fewer women working outside of the home 70 years ago than there are now.

3. According to a 2013 study in the US by the Pews Research Center, what percentage of people thought children were better at home with their mothers?

4. According to a 2013 study in the US by the Pews Research Center, what percentage of people thought children were better at home with their fathers?

5. What are some of the vital activities mentioned that an infant relies on?

2. 选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. I decided to stay at home and look _______ my children full-time.

after                               for                                  down                          before

2. He’s really a _______-on dad. He never stops!

feet                                head                               hands                         toe

3. He decided to take _______ leave to stay with the baby.

burden                           paternity                          burp                           feed

4. The cost of a _______ was too high, so I decided to stay at home.

nursery                          maternity                         burp                            breadwinner 

5. I think our son has a dirty _______. It’s your turn to change it.

offspring                        infant                               nappy                          hands

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. What things are mentioned that may force parents to choose between career and family?
Sometimes it comes down to finances, while others may feel it’s better to be a hands-on parent.

2. True or False? There were fewer women working outside of the home 70 years ago than there are now.
True. More women are working outside the home than 70 years ago.

3. According to a 2013 study in the US by the Pews Research Center, what percentage of people thought children were better at home with their mothers?
51% of people surveyed thought children were better off if a mother is home and doesn’t have a job.

4. According to a 2013 study in the US by the Pews Research Center, what percentage of people thought children were better at home with their fathers?
8% of people surveyed thought children were better off if a father is home and doesn’t have a job.

5. What are some of the vital activities mentioned that an infant relies on?
The changing of nappies, burping after milk and making sure they feed on time are just some of the vital 24-7 activities an infant relies on.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. I decided to stay at home and look after my children full-time.

2. He’s really a hands-on dad. He never stops!

3. He decided to take paternity leave to stay with the baby.

4. The cost of a nursery was too high, so I decided to stay at home.

5. I think our son has a dirty nappy. It’s your turn to change it.