Talking about Emotions and Motherhood
Mary and Jenny are flatmates at the same university. Jenny, a sociology student, is currently writing her thesis on public health. She is talking to Mary about her topic...
Mary: How’s your research going, Jenny? What exactly are you working on?
Jenny: I’m researching how the role of motherhood in public health varies between different cultures.
Mary: That sounds very interesting! Healthy societies are only possible if we have mothers with good mental health - Isn’t that right?
Jenny: Absolutely! Research shows that the children of depressed mothers often grow up to be depressed, backward or even neurotic in later life. Many mothers are exhausted and oppressed by the unending, repetitive task of caring for their children, or by the constant demands of a baby.
Mary: A husband’s role in the family is very important too, isn’t it?
Jenny: Definitely. A full-time mother is very likely to feel imprisoned at home. Therefore, it’s very important that there is someone else who can take the burden off their shoulders or share it.
Mary: So, even though the foundation of healthy societies is based on happy mothers; we can also say that the secret of being a happy mother is through having a supportive other half. Honestly, I’m a bit scared to have a child!
Jenny: Don’t be! I’m sure you’ll be a great mum when the time comes!
PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example sentence | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
To let down someone | To make someone disappointed when you have not fulfilled a promise. | She promised that she would be there but she let me down. | Feelings |
To break down | 1. To become very upset. 2. When something stops working | 1. She broke down when she opened her results. 2. The lift broke down. | Feelings |
To bring somebody/something down | 1. To make someone lose their powerful position. 2. To make something end. | 1. He brought his boss down by exposing personal emails. 2. The rise in export prices could bring the hospitality industry down. | Feelings |
To bottle something up | To refuse to talk about things when someone is worried or upset. | After his father passed away, he bottled his emotions up and wouldn’t talk to anyone. | Feelings |
To get something across | To make someone believe or understand something | He tried to get his point across but his manager wouldn’t listen. | Feelings |