13.Only two countries in the advanced world provide no guarantee for paid leave from work to care for a newsborn child.Last spring one of the two,Australia,gave up the dubious distinction by establishing paid family leave starting in 2011.I wasn't surprised when this didn't make the news here in the United States-we're now the only wealthy country without such a policy.
The United States does have one explicit family policy,the Family and Medical Leave Act,passed in 1993.It entitles workers to as much as 12weeks'unpaid leave for care of a newsboy or dealing with a family medical problem.In spite of the modesty of the benefit,the Chamber of Commerce and other business groups fo:ight it bitter]y,describing it as"government-run personnel management"and a"dangerous precedent(先例)".In fact,every step of the way,as Democratic leaders have tried to introduce work-family balance measures into the laxv,business groups have been strongly opposed.
As Yale law professor Anne Alcott argues,justifying parentai support depends on defining the Family as a social good that,ill some sense,society must pay for.In her book No Exit:What Parents Owe Their Children and What Society Owes Parents,she argues that parents are burdened in many ways in their lives:there is'"no exit"when it comes to children."Society expects-and needs-parents to provide their children with continuity of care,meaning the intensive,intimate care that hum art beings need to develop their intellectual,emotional and moral capabilities,And society expects-and needs-parents to persist in their roles for 18years,or longer if needed."
While most parents do this out of love,there are public punishments for not providing care.What parents do,in other words,is of deep concern to the state,for the obvious reason that caring for children is not only morally urgent but essential for the future of society.The state recognizes this in the large body of family laws that govern cl,ildren's welfare,yet parents receive little help in meeting the life-changing responsibilities society imposes.To classify parenting as a personal choice for which there is no collective responsibility is not merely to ignore the social benefits of good parenting; really,it is to steal those benefits because they accrue(不断积累) to the whole of society as today's children become tomorrow's productive citizens,In fact,by some estimates,the value of parental investments in children,investments of time and money (including lost wages),is equal to 20-30% of entire domestic product.If these investments generate huge social benefits-as they clearly do-the benefits of providing more social support for the family should be that much clearer.
67.What do we learn about paid fancily leave from the first paragraph?A
A.America is now the only developed country without the policy.
B.Its meaning was clarified when it was established in Australia.
C.It came as a surprise when Australia adopted the policy.
D.It has now become a hot topic in the United States.
68.What is Professor Anne Alcott's argument for parental support?C
A.The cost of raising children in the U.S.has been growing.
B.The U.S.should keep up with other developed countries,
C.Good parenting benefits society.
D.Children need continuous care.
69.What does the author think of America's large body of family Yaws governing children's welfare?B
A.They fail to ensure children's healthy growth.
B.They fail to provide enough support for parents,
C.They emphasize parents'legal responsibilities.
D.They impose the care of children on parents,
70.Why does the author object to classifying parenting as a personal choice?C
A.It is regarded as a legal obligation.
B.It relies largely on social support.
C.It is basically a social undertaking.
D.It produces huge social benefits.
分析 本文是一篇论说文,直到2011年,发达国家中只有美国没有带薪休假的政策,各种人士对此发表了不同的看法.
解答 ACBC
67:A 细节题.由第一段最后一句"I wasn't surprised when this didn't make the news here in the United States-we're now the only wealthy country without such a policy."可知,美国没有带薪家庭休假制度,故正确答案为A.
68:C 细节题.由第二段最后一句"In fact,every step of the way,as (usually) Democratic leaders have tried to introduce work-family balance measures into the law,business groups have been strongly opposed."可知商业团体的强烈反对阻挠了带薪家庭休假制度的实施,故正确答案为C.
69:B 细节题.由第三段第三句"Society expects-and needs-parents to provide their children with continuity of care."可知社会期望父母更关心孩子,好的育儿方式有利于社会,故正确答案为B.
70:C 细节题.由最后一段第三句"To classify parenting as a personal choice for which there is no collective responsibility is not merely to ignore the social benefits of good parenting:really,it is to steal those benefits because they accrue(累积) to the whole of society as today's children become tomorrow's citizens."可知作者认为养育孩子不仅是个人的决定,还会影响社会的未来,故正确答案为C.
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