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Children and The Family Vocabulary

These are useful words and phrases based around Children and the Family vocabulary, a common topic in IELTS. This vocabulary will help you with all parts of the test if the topic arises.

vocabulary-children-and-the-family

As with the other vocabulary on these pages, although common word forms are given, not all word forms are here, so remember that once you understand the word you should study it further to make sure you understand exactly how it is used in different contexts.

At the bottom of the page there are links to essays connected to this children and the family vocabulary. The vocabulary may also be useful for topics you could get in your speaking or to improve your range of vocabulary more generally.

You will find:

  • The word
  • The definition
  • Example sentences

Useful Children and the Family
Vocabulary for IELTS

Adoption

Taking on the legal responsibilities as parent of a child that is not one's biological child

  • Adoption can provide children in foster care with a stable home environment and a sense of belonging.
  • Some studies suggest that adopted children face fewer emotional issues when raised in a supportive, loving household.

Adolescent

A young person who is developing into an adult

  • Adolescents often face significant psychological and emotional challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
  • The pressures of academic performance and peer relationships during adolescence can have long-term effects on an individual's well-being.

Authoritarian

Demanding that people obey completely and refusing to allow them freedom to act as they wish

  • Authoritarian parenting styles are often associated with higher levels of compliance but can lead to issues with autonomy in children.
  • Research shows that children raised in authoritarian households may struggle with self-esteem and decision-making later in life.

Birth Control or Contraception

The use of any of various methods intended to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant

  • The availability of birth control has been shown to reduce the birth rate in many developed countries.
  • Comprehensive sex education and access to contraception are key factors in reducing unintended pregnancies.

Birth Rate

The number of babies born over a given time

  • In many developed nations, the birth rate has been steadily declining, leading to concerns about the long-term economic implications of an aging population.
  • A higher birth rate in developing countries often correlates with limited access to healthcare and family planning resources.

Bring Up or Upbringing

To care for a child until he or she is an adult, often giving him or her particular beliefs

  • A child’s upbringing plays a crucial role in shaping their attitudes, behaviours, and overall personality development.
  • The way a child is brought up can significantly influence their academic success and social integration later in life.

Child Development

The biological, psychological, and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the end of adolescence

  • Research in child development highlights the importance of early childhood experiences in shaping cognitive and emotional abilities.
  • Child development theories emphasise the role of environmental factors, such as family dynamics and education, in fostering growth.

Child Neglect

A form of child abuse where there is an ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs, such as being left without adequate food, clothes, shelter, medicine, etc.

  • Child neglect can have severe long-term effects on a child’s emotional well-being and academic performance.
  • Studies have shown that children who experience neglect are more likely to struggle with behavioral and mental health issues as adults.

Childcare

Care for children provided by either the government, an organisation, or a person, while parents are at work or are away for another reason

  • Access to affordable and quality childcare is essential for working parents, particularly in urban areas where childcare costs are high.
  • Childcare services play a significant role in the social and cognitive development of young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Dependants

Someone who depends on you for financial support, such as a child or family member who does not work

  • Families with multiple dependants often face financial strain, particularly in households where only one parent is employed.
  • The financial burden of supporting dependants can impact a family’s ability to invest in education or health care.

Divorce

An official or legal process to end a marriage

  • The rising rates of divorce in many societies have led to greater emphasis on understanding the social and psychological impacts on children.
  • Divorce can lead to significant emotional distress for children, particularly when parents fail to manage conflicts in a respectful manner.

Dysfunctional Family

A family where there is conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect, resulting in poor emotional and physical health

  • Growing up in a dysfunctional family can lead to long-term mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
  • Programs designed to support dysfunctional families often aim to improve communication and reduce conflict between parents and children.

Emotional Security

To feel happy and secure from having enough love, acceptance, and respect

  • Emotional security is essential for children to develop healthy relationships and cope with stress in later life.
  • Research has consistently shown that children who feel emotionally secure in their homes perform better academically and socially.

Extended Family

Larger than the nuclear family - consisting of aunts, uncles, and cousins all living nearby or in the same household

  • In many cultures, the extended family plays a crucial role in childcare and offers a broader support system for parents.
  • Extended family networks can provide emotional and financial support, reducing the pressures faced by nuclear families.

Fostering

Taking on the responsibilities for a child in place of the child's natural parents but without legally adopting the child

  • Fostering can offer children in crisis a stable and supportive environment, even if they are not able to return to their biological families.
  • Foster care systems aim to provide children with a sense of security and continuity while working to reunite them with their biological families.

Formative Years

A period of a person's life, usually childhood, that has a big influence on the person they become and the rest of that person's life

  • The formative years are often seen as the most critical period for emotional, social, and cognitive development.
  • Negative experiences during the formative years can have long-lasting effects on an individual's mental health and behavior.

Gender Roles

Social expectations about the behavior, attitudes, and roles considered appropriate for men and women

  • Gender roles can influence the way children are raised, with certain expectations placed on boys and girls from a young age.
  • Shifting societal views on gender roles have led to increased opportunities for both men and women to pursue careers and parenting roles of their choice.

Nurture

Care for and protect (someone or something) while they are growing

  • Research on nature versus nurture suggests that the environment in which children are raised has a profound impact on their emotional and cognitive development.
  • Providing children with a nurturing environment is vital for developing self-esteem and a positive outlook on life.

Overprotective Parents

Wishing to protect a child too much

  • Overprotective parents may unintentionally hinder their children's ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills.
  • While overprotective parenting may stem from concern for a child's safety, it can limit opportunities for the child to learn from their own experiences.

Raise

To take care of a person (or an animal or plant) until they are completely grown

  • Parents have the responsibility to raise their children in a way that encourages emotional resilience and social responsibility.
  • The challenge of raising children today includes navigating modern issues such as social media influence and academic pressure.

Rebel

To resist or oppose authority, control, or tradition

  • Adolescents often rebel against parental authority as they seek to establish their own identities.

Relatives

Group of people related by blood or marriage

  • Relatives often provide emotional support during times of crisis, such as illness or loss.
  • Many people rely on relatives to help with childcare or provide financial assistance during difficult times.

Responsible Parent

Having good judgment and the ability to act correctly when bringing up a child, e.g., ensuring they are not in any danger

  • A responsible parent provides a balance of guidance, freedom, and emotional support to help children grow into well-adjusted adults.
  • Being a responsible parent involves making informed decisions regarding education, health, and social relationships.

Separation

An arrangement, but not necessarily done legally, by which two married people stop living together as a couple

  • A trial separation can sometimes help couples resolve underlying issues and decide whether reconciliation is possible.
  • Separation often leads to significant emotional adjustment, particularly for children who are caught between two homes.

Single-parent

A parent, not living with a spouse or partner, who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in raising the child or children

  • Single-parent families often face unique financial and emotional challenges due to the absence of a second income or partner support.
  • The rise in single-parent households has prompted a greater need for social policies aimed at supporting these families.

Siblings

Brothers or sisters

  • Siblings often serve as primary sources of socialisation and emotional support during childhood and adolescence.
  • The relationships between siblings can have a lasting impact on an individual’s ability to develop interpersonal skills.

Spoiled

A person, particularly a child, who shows bad behaviour due to overindulgence by their parents.

  • Spoiled children often struggle to develop self-regulation and may become accustomed to demanding their way.
  • Studies suggest that children who are overly indulged may experience difficulties in social settings due to their lack of empathy and consideration for others.

Strict

Strongly limiting someone's freedom to behave as they wish, or likely to severely punish someone if they do not obey

  • Strict parenting can result in children who are highly disciplined but may also cause resentment and rebellion if the rules are perceived as unfair.
  • Some argue that strict parenting is necessary to maintain order and ensure children understand the importance of boundaries.

View some model essays that include Children and the Family vocabulary:

Family Size Essay

Family Values Essay

Child Development Essay

More Topic Related Vocabulary:


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