生活英语情景主题:到底要不要生小孩?

J: have you ever thought about having children, Kaitlyn?
K: my husband and I have thought about it, but we’ve decided¹ not to have any. They are just too expensive. Besides, with all the news about global² warming on the news lately, who knows what kind of world we’ll have in the future. What about you?
J: well, I’ve always wanted to have lots of children. Growing up with only one brother, I always felt a bit lonely. What do you think about families with only one child?
K: for me, growing up in a big family always made me yearn³ for attention. I always wanted to be an only child so that I could always do what I wanted and so that I wouldn’t ever have to share.
J: don’t you think you would miss having other people around?
K: no way! I spent 20 years of my life with relatives around me 24-7. you know, I don’t think I’ve ever actually spent any time by myself in my parents’ home. What do you think of the one-child policy⁴ in China?
J: if China didn’t have such a policy, can you imagine how many people there would be in China now?
K: that’s true. But as a woman, I’m glad that even though I don’t want any children, I at least have a choice in how many children I have. On the other hand, I can’t imagine what China would be like if there weren’t a one-child policy!
J: do you think most families with many children envy⁵ or feel sorry for other families with only one child?
K: I don’t know what other people think, but I, for one, envy only children!
凯特林，你有没有考虑过生孩子？
我丈夫和我想过这件事，但我们决定还是不要了。生个孩子实在是太贵了。而且，最近所有的新闻消息都在说全球变暖的事情，谁知道未来我们的世界会变成什么样子。你呢？
嗯，我一直想要很多孩子。从小到大我都只有一个哥哥，所以一直觉得有点孤单。你对一个家庭只有一个孩子的情况有什么看法？
对于我来说，在一个大家庭中成长总是渴望能得到更多的关注。我一直希望自己是独生子女，这样我就能得到自己想要的东西。，而且用不着跟别人分享。
如果是那样的话，难道你不会想身边的亲人吗？
才不会呢！我20年来都无时无刻不和这些人生活在一起，每天24小时，每周7天。你知道吗，我从来都没有在家里单独待过,你怎么看待中国的独身子女政策？
假如中国没有实行这个政策，你能想象现在中国会有多少人口吗？
这倒是事实。但是作为一个女人，即使我不想要孩子，至少有对自己能要几个孩子有选择的权利，我也会感到满足。另一方面，如果没有独生子女政策，我也的确无法想象中国会是怎样一幅景象。
你觉得大部分有好几个孩子的家庭会对那些只有一个孩子的家庭抱着羡慕或者同情的态度吗？
我不知道其他人是怎么想的，但是就我个人而言，非常羡慕独生子女！
 

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 global   

adj.全球的；球形的；世界的

参考例句：

• A global environmental meeting is going to be held here.一个全球环境会议将在这里举行。
• The report takes a global view of the company's problems.这份报告对公司的问题作了综合性的论述。

3 yearn   

v.想念；怀念；渴望

参考例句：

• We yearn to surrender our entire being.我们渴望着放纵我们整个的生命。
• Many people living in big cities yearn for an idyllic country life.现在的很多都市人向往那种田园化的生活。

4 policy   

n.政策，方针，保险单

参考例句：

• This policy is very tough.这个政策是很强硬的。
• The country has always pursued a policy of peace.该国一直奉行和平政策。

5 envy   

vt.羡慕，忌妒；n.羡慕，忌妒

参考例句：

• I envy your ability to work so fast.我真羡慕你，能干得这么快。
• I was filled with envy at their adventurous lifestyle.我很羨慕他们敢于冒险的生活方式。