English | QuestionsSpeaking of Children
Barbara Holland
Class : 11 | The Magic of Words
Summary
This essay is written by Barbara Holland. In this essay, the writer has examined an idea of having more than one child. She compares the advantages of having one child to the disadvantages of having many children. The writer speaks in favour of having single child and speaks against having many children. She says that single child is like an appendage of the parents. One child never becomes the burden of parents. Parents spend their life with freely. Parents can take him anywhere with them. They can educate him anything he
likes. Parents can afford money and time to make the future for single child. If they have one child, they can live in their own way. Their child is just like a thing such as a toothbrush or dog. One child is out numbered. There is no any interruption if they have single child in their family. But according to the writer, there are so many disadvantages of having many children. Home becomes a nursery school. They play games in house like the playground. Parents do not get to talk about their privacy. Plural children are burden to the parents. They make their life so complicated and hard. They face many problems for their education and so many areas. Having many children is like a curse for them. They are always disturbed by their children. They hardly use their telephone. They have to spend all their time for them .They have to take them for difficult places of entertainment. The parents don't succeed to fulfill their demands. They must work hard all day for their betterment of life. Those parents who have plural child, they do not have private life. Although there is togetherness, Love and sharing in plural children. But Barbara has favored on single child because the parents always become happy and free in single child.
likes. Parents can afford money and time to make the future for single child. If they have one child, they can live in their own way. Their child is just like a thing such as a toothbrush or dog. One child is out numbered. There is no any interruption if they have single child in their family. But according to the writer, there are so many disadvantages of having many children. Home becomes a nursery school. They play games in house like the playground. Parents do not get to talk about their privacy. Plural children are burden to the parents. They make their life so complicated and hard. They face many problems for their education and so many areas. Having many children is like a curse for them. They are always disturbed by their children. They hardly use their telephone. They have to spend all their time for them .They have to take them for difficult places of entertainment. The parents don't succeed to fulfill their demands. They must work hard all day for their betterment of life. Those parents who have plural child, they do not have private life. Although there is togetherness, Love and sharing in plural children. But Barbara has favored on single child because the parents always become happy and free in single child.
Important Questions
1. How does the essay `Speaking of children' examine the idea of having more than one child?
Ans: Having more than one child is an obstacle of happy married life. Having more than one child is a way of child i.e. parents have to change their way of life into the children's way of life since the parents are outnumbered. The parents hardly get time for their private affair. The children always come in between. The mother of plural child gets tired and by the time she goes to bed sleep faster. So they even don't get time to share their idea even in bed time. Moreover, your holiday plan should be changed because of plural children. The parents search for cheaper and nearby place etc.
2. Does the essay speaking of children speak in favour or against having many children? Give reason.
Ans: This essay speaks implicitly against having many children. The essayist without passing her judgment examines the idea of having more than one child is the consequent expenses of parents. Barbara Holland talks about the sacrifices that the parents have to make for the sake of their children. She says that one child is just one extra thing in one's life. They can make it do what they want to go. They can teach it nice things as they wish. In short, one child is never a nuisance. But more than one child becomes unmanageable for their parents. Even if there are only two children, they are sufficient enough to outnumber you and your husband. They almost completely deny you any time to enjoy a private chat with your husband. Barbara also tells us that parents of plural children can spare time for themselves only after they have taken the children somewhere and brought them home again. Things are never in order. Whenever you move in the house, children's playthings come in your way. In short, with more than one child, you and your husband are never yourselves.
Questions for Practice
1. Does Barbara Holland speak in favour of against having many children? Give reasons.
2. What does Barbara Holland say about having many children? 3. Write the advantage of having one child and disadvantage of having many children for the present as shown in the essay `Speaking of Children.
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