Reading - Parents happier after their children leave home

PARENTS HAPPIER AFTER THEIR CHILDREN LEAVE HOME

    Many people believe that having children makes families happy. For some, this is true. But researchers say that parents are happiest when their children grow up and leave home.

    Researchers in Germany studied 55,000 people over 50 years old in Europe. They asked them about their happiness. They found that parents feel better after their children leave home. When children are small, parents feel stress, tiredness, and worry about money.

    Christoph Becker from Heidelberg University led the study. He said that parents feel better because adult children help them more. Parents with grown-up children feel less sad and more positive. Adult children give emotional and financial support to their parents. Keeping family relationships strong helps older parents feel less lonely.

VOCABULARY

1 - believe: to think something is true

Example: Many people believe that having children is important.

2 - researcher: a person who studies something to find answers

Example: The researchers asked 55,000 people about happiness.

3 - stress: feeling worried or nervous

Example: Parents feel stress when their children are small.

4 - worry: to think about problems or fears

Example: Parents worry about money when children are young.

5 - support: help given to someone

Example: Adult children give emotional and financial support.

6 - lonely: feeling sad because you are alone

Example: Strong family relationships help parents feel less lonely.

ACTIVITIES

1 - Choose the correct answer.

2 - Read the statements and choose True or False.