填空题

Upon reaching an appropriate age (usually between 18 and 21 years), children are encouraged, but not forced, to "leave the nest" and (51) an independent life. After children (52) home they often find social relationships and financial support outside the family. Parents do not arrange marriages for their children, (53) do children usually ask permission of their parents to get married. Romantic love is most often the basis for (54) in the United States; young adults meet their future spouses (55) other friends, at school, at jobs, and in organizations and religious institutions. Although children choose their own spouses, they still hope their parents will approve of their (56) .
In many families, parents feel that children should (57) major life decisions by themselves. A parent may try to influence a child to follow a particular profession (58) the child is free to choose another career. Sometimes children do precisely the opposite of (59) their parents wish in order to assert their (60) . A son may deliberately decide not to go into his father’s business because of a fear that he will lose his autonomy in his father’s workplace. This independence from parents is not an indication that parents and children do not love each other. Strong love between parents and children is universal and this is no exception in the American family. Coexisting with such love in the American family are cultural values of self reliance and independence.
Societal and familial treatment of the elderly also reflects this independence and individualism. Their (61) support is often provided by social security or welfare systems which decrease dependence on their (62) . Additionally, older people may seek their own friends rather than become too emotionally (63) on their children. Senior citizens centers provide a means for peer-group association within one’s own age group. There are problems, (64) with growing old in the United States. Glorification of (65) and indifference to the aged have left many older people alienated and alone.
Some families send their older relatives to nursing homes rather than integrate them into the homes of the children or grandchildren. This separation of the elderly from the (66) has contributed (67) the isolation of an increasingly large segment of society. (68) the other hand, there are many older people who choose to live in retirement communities (69) they have the companionship of (70) older people and the convenience of many recreational and social activities close to home.