B2 – Upper Intermediate
Parental obligations usually end legally when the child reaches the age of 18. By law, parents are required to support their young children by providing them food, shelter, clothing, education, etc. However, parents feel responsible for their children’s actions or inactions even if they are already grown-ups.
Let’s read the article and know more about these young adults in Spain whom parents can’t seem to get rid of.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/jun/06/spain-ninis-no-school-job-bank-mum-dad
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is the meaning of the word “bankrolling” mean? “Spain’s Nini generation are the equivalent of the UK’s Neets – but they may be about to experience some tough love from their bankrolling parents.” Use it in a sentence.
- Define the word “upkeep“. “Instead, their parents have been required to pay for their upkeep.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
- What does the expression “to squabble over something” mean? “You know how divorced couples often squabble over who gets custody of the children?” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- In your opinion, what factors contribute to these young people becoming “ninis”?
- How can this be prevented or resolved?
- What is your stand on the parents’ right to abandon their “nini” children?
4 replies on “The ‘Ninis’: No School, No Job and No More Bank of Mum and Dad?”
Vocabulary questions:
1. “bankrolling”: bankrolling means to finance someone, to maintain someone economically.
One example sentece could be: He does not hace job. He has a bankrolling partner.
2. “upkeep“. Upkeep is a synonym of maintenance and care. The actions that someone takes to keep something is a good state.
Example: The major is responsible for the city upkeep.
3.“to squabble over something” : to argue or dispute a thing. Example: Footbal players squabble over the referee decision
Discussion questions:
1. This is a complex issue that has been produced by multiple factors.
In my opinion, the main reason is the lack of opportunities that young people have. Today’s youth see that
the work opportunities that are accesible for their generation are worst than the opportunities that their parents had, so they don’t feel motivated enough to find a job or to continue studying.
Also, I belive that the current generation has been spoiled by their parents, and now it is hard for them to understand the need of a job or an education that will provide you a better future.
2. This is a though question because it depends on the economic situation of the country. If a country has a low unemployment rate, this will lead to better job offers, so young people could be motived to apply for these jobs.
Also other basic expenses should be more accessible in order to create a friendly future for young people, as for example the price of the houses.
3. I belive that this can be different in each case. When the sons or daughters are looking for work and are not studying beacause it is too expensive or does not make sense, I think that the parents should be more flexible and should mantain their children.
In other cases where woung people behave selfish, even if the decision is hard, I support the parent’s right to economically abandon their children.
Interesting thoughts regarding this issue. Thank you for sharing them here.
In this case, no need to repeat the word “opportunities”. See how it can be written better:
Keep being consistent with your writing practice.
1. From my point of view, education given to the new generations is part of the failure. Some parents wrongly believe that they have to raise their children in a bubble; I mean, children need to be happy and therefore, they will avoid anything that can be an effort or worry for their sons. For that reason, children will not study as much as they need, and they will not finish their basic studies. When they want to start working, the only jobs available to them according to their preparation will be the least qualified, and as they are not trained for effort they will prefer to stay at home where mum and dad will provide them with everything they need.
2. Parents would need to be more aware that life has positive and negatives things. They should not hide suffering from their children since there will be some situations in which they will not be before them to protect them. In those situations, children will not know how to react or face when an unexpected situation happens. Children have to learn that it is necessary for them to become autonomous and solve their own problems.
3. I agree with those parents who decide to abandon their “nini” children. Unfortunately, my neighbor has a 44-year-old son living with her who treats her badly. Although she is a widow and a very low pension, she has to feed him and pay all the household expenses.
You shared some interesting points about this topic. Great work.
Here are a few sentences you can revise:
The more you practice writing, the better your skills will get.