本文选自吴应时主编的《大学英语六级阅读真题精读——晨读伴侣》。本书对历年国家大学英语六级考试（CET-6）的仔细阅读部分进行了详尽而精准的分析、翻译和注释，对四六级考生有着事半功倍的效果，对提升整体英语能力也很有帮助。
学习导读：
当国人还在为人口多而烦恼时，美国人已经在为低生育率发愁了。当然，发达国家低生育率已经是众所周知的事儿了，再弹这种老调估计没有听众了。那么本文从带薪产假这个话题出发，详尽阐述了父母对孩子的教养之于社会的关系。人口再生产一直是人类必须面对和重视的问题，在这里介绍一个人口学术语给大家，总和生育率（total fertility rate），指的是一个妇女一生中所生子女的数量。发展中国家大多大于5，即1名女性一生中总共生大约5个小孩，而发达国家一般低于2，我国最新的统计数据是1.4-1.5，所以未来的养老会成为热门话题，在平时的学习中可以留心。
[Only] two countries [in the advanced world] provide no guarantee 1[for paid leave] [from work to care for a newborn child]. [Last spring] one of the two, {Australia}, gave up (the dubious 2) distinction 3 [by establishing 4 paid family leave] [starting in 2011]. I wasn’t surprised [when this didn’t make the news [here] [in the United States]] – we’re [now] the only wealthy 5 country [without such a policy].
发达国家里，只有两个国家没有为照顾新生儿的带薪产假提供保障。去年春天，两国之一的澳大利亚结束了这一有争议的差异，2011年起，澳大利亚将实施带薪家庭产假。这在美国没有成为新闻，对此我一点也不奇怪——现在，我们是唯一一个没有这项政策的富裕国家了。
注：1. guarantee n.保证，保证书。文中此意。例：
Advertising provides a guarantee of reasonable value in the products and services you buy.
广告为你购买的商品和服务提供了合理的价格保证。
There is no guarantee, however, that the Trade Center layer will remain so distinct forever.
不过，对于世贸中心的（建筑）层次一直会这么显眼，毫无保证。
[选自：BBC: Twin towers 'created ash footprint']
vt. 保证，担保。例：
I still cannot guarantee you that I must be there on time.
我还是不能向你保证我一定能准时到那儿。
2. dubious adj. 有问题的，靠不住的；半信半疑的，可疑的；结果未定的，不能确定的。例：
a dubious business venture 冒险的商业投资
I don’t believe you because I remain dubious about your motives.
我不相信你，因为我对你的动机仍有疑虑。
a dubious replay 含糊的回答
The results of policy will remain dubious for some time.
这项政策的成效在一段时间内将难以确定。
【派】dubiously (adv.未定地；含糊地，可疑地)
3. distinction n.差别，区分。例：
make a distinction between...区分
There is no obvious distinction between the twin brothers.
这对孪生兄弟之间没有什么明显的区别。
But the city, the state’s largest, was not solely responsible for the dubious distinction.
底特律这座城市，密歇根州最大的城市，对于这奇怪的差别不能全赖它。
[dubious和distinction都用到了。][选自：MSN: Census: Detroit's population plummets 25 percent]
【辨】distinction，unlikeness,divergence “差别，差异”
distinction指相似或相关的事物间细节差异，只能通过仔细检查才能确定。
unlikeness 经常暗指较大和较明显的差别。
divergence指原本相似的事物间逐渐增加的差异。
4. establish vt. 建立，设立；安置，使定居。例：
The object of the patriots was to establish a representative and republic government.
这些爱国者的目标就是要建立代议制的共和政府。
We are now comfortable established in our new house.
我们现已在新居中安适地安顿了下来。
【派】established (adj.已制定的，确定的)
5. wealthy adj.富裕的，丰富的
a wealthy land 富饶的土地
a wealthy family 富裕的家庭
Mr. Obama's recent push to boost taxes on wealthy Americans has complicated that effort.
总统先生近期推动向富人征更多税的努力反倒使之复杂化了。
[选自：WSJ: Obama Chief of Staff William Daley Cedes Day-to-Day Role]
The United States does have one explicit 1 family policy, {the Family and Medical Leave Act}, passed [in 1993]. It entitles 2 workers [to as much as 12 weeks’ unpaid leave] [for care 3 of a newborn or dealing with a family medical problem]. [Despite the modesty (of the benefit),] the Chamber (of Commerce) and other business groups fought it [bitterly], [describing it as “government-run 4 personnel 5 management 6” and a “dangerous precedent 7”]. [In fact], every step (of the way), [as (usually)原 Democratic leaders have tried to introduce 8 work-family balance measures [into the law],] business groups have been [strongly] opposed 9.
美国确实有一项明确的家庭政策，就是1993年通过的《家庭与医疗休假法案》。它使职工有权享受长达12周的无薪假期用来对新生儿的抚养或处理家庭医疗问题。尽管说这项法案给职工带来的好处少得可怜，但是商会和其他商业团体仍为此大动干戈，将其描述为：“政府主导下的人力管理”和一项“危险的先例”。事实上，（通常情况下）民主党领导人试图将工作与家庭平衡的措施引入法律时，每走一步都会遭到商业团体的强烈反对。
注：1. explicit adj. 详述的，明确的；坦率的。例：
give explicit direction给予详尽明确的指示
He gave me explicit direction on how to get there.
他明确地告诉我怎样到达那里。
The critics were explicit in their criticism.
那些评论家直截了当地表述了自己的批评意见。
2. entitle vt. 给以权力（或资格）；给...以称号；给...提名
be entitled to 有权...，有资格...。例：
I am entitled to know what goes on.
我有权知道事态的进展情况。
This book is entitled So Young.
这本书被命名为《致青春》。
What it does mean is that a high score will entitle the department to extra funding for research.
这意味着高分将为学系带来额外的研究经费。
[选自：BBC: News | Education league Tables 2001]
3. care在这里是名词，后面的of作后置定语修饰之。如果care是动词，前面的for将限制care必须用ing动名词形式。or 后面的deal就是ing形式。文中有意翻译成“用来对新生儿的抚养”，利于大家对词性的理解。当然，如果在翻译中，翻成抚养新生儿也是不错的。
4. government-run adj. 官办的，政府运作的
government-run monopolies 政府经营的垄断企业
government-run universities 公立大学
government-run school 公立学校
5. personnel n. 全体成员，全体职工；人事（部门）。例：
personnel exchange 人才交流
Airline personnel can buy flight tickets at reduced prices.
航空公司职员购买飞机票可享受价格上的优惠。
personnel department人事部
personnel manager 人事经理
6. management n. 经营，管理；管理部门。例：
They need to improve their management right now.
目前，他们需要提高管理水平。
The management are considering finishing up the project.
管理部门正在考虑结束这个项目。
7. precedent n. 先例，范例；惯例。例：
It needs strength and courage to shatter precedent.
打破惯例需要力量跟勇气。
The challenge, says Upchurch, is that there is simply no precedent for selling space travel.
挑战也是有的——Upchurch说道——就是从来没有过开卖太空旅游的先例。
[选自：MSN: Space tourism poised to blast off in the next two years]
8. introduce v. 引入，带来。通常的意思当然是介绍，这里不讲解熟意了。例：
The bill will introduce a new system of scrutiny of medical certificates of cause of death.
该法案对死因的医学证明书，将引入新的详细检查制度。
[选自：BBC: Certification of Death Bill debate]
9. oppose vt. 反抗，反对。例:
It is we who oppose this travesty today who are, in fact, supporting our Constitution.
今天是我们在反对这种歪曲，但实际上，我们是在支持我们的宪法。
[it is who强调句型，所以译文中用“是我们”来表示强调。][选自：CNN: Transcript: House debates articles of impeachment]
【派】opposed(adj.反对的)；opposing(adj.相反的)
[As (Yale law professor) Anne Alstott argues,] justifying 1 parental support depends on defining the family [as a social good] (that, ^in some sense^, society must pay for.) [In her book] {No Exit: What Parents Owe Their Children and What Society Owes Parents}, she argues that parents are burdened 2 [in many ways] [in their lives]: there is “no exit” [when it comes to children.] “Society expects – and needs – parents [to provide their children] [with continuity 3 of care], [meaning the intensive 4, intimate 5 care] (that human beings need to develop their intellectual 6, emotional and moral capabilities 7.) And society expects – and needs – parents [to persist in 8 their roles] [for 18 years], or [longer] [if needed 9.]”
就像耶鲁大学教授Anne Alstott所说的那样，为父母支持正名，取决于将家庭看成是一种在某种程度上的社会商品，而社会需要买单。在她的《没有出路：父母欠孩子什么以及社会欠父母什么》一书中，她写道，父母在生活中承担着各种各样的担子：在孩子的问题上是“没有出路”的。“社会期望——也需要——父母为孩子提供持续的关爱，意指那种深厚而亲密的关爱。这种爱是人类所需的，可以使孩子们智商，情商和道德方面得到发展。而且社会期望——也需要——父母把自己的角色至少扮演好18年，如果需要的话还可以更久。”
注：1. justify vt. 证明...是正当的，认为有理。但文中用的是动名词形式作主语了，在这里还是做动词学习。例：
To justify this claim, he provided a lot of evidence.
为了证明该主张是合理的，他提供了大量的证据。
【派】justifiable(adj.有理由的)
2. burden v. 使负担，烦扰。例：
They may be burdened by guilt and regret.
他们内心可能承受着内疚和悔恨。
The hospital is to change administrative procedures so clinical staff would not be burdened.
医院在更改行政上的一些流程，如此一来，不会烦扰到医务人员。
[选自：BBC: Princess Alexandra Hospital]
【派】burdensome（adj.繁重的）
3. continuity n. 连续性，继续；[影视]剪辑。例：
The continuity of service is thereby guaranteed.
服务的持续性因此得到保证。
These industries are required by law and regulation to have a business continuity plan.
这些受到法律和规则限制的行业，需备妥企业持续经营计划。
[选自：FORBES: Why Verizon Has Its Own HAZMAT Team]
4. intensive adj. 加强的，集中的；深入细致的。例:
intensive training 强化训练
intensive reading 精读材料
energy-intensive 能源密集型的
5. intimate adj. 亲密的，密切的。例：
Each program is limited to 15 campers ensuring an intimate experience with fellow survivors.
为了保证每一位“幸存者”的亲密体验，每个项目均不超过15名营员。
[选自：FORBES: First Descents: Cancer Camp For Young Adults]
【派】intimacy (n.亲密，密切)
6. intellectual n. 知识分子。例：
He is a highly qualified intellectual.
他是个高级知识分子。
adj.智力的，有智力的，显示智力的，文中此意。以下词组中皆为形容词作定语。
intellectual powers 智力
an intellectual worker脑力劳动者
intellectual property 知识产权
【派】intellectualism（n.智力活动；知型主义）；
intellectually(adv.智性上地，智力上地)
7. capability n. 本领，能力；性能。例：
I felt my capability was being compromised.
感受我的能力正在受损。
At last the dynamics capability of the protecting housing is analyzed.
最后，对防护壳体的力学性能进行了分析。
8. persist in v. 坚持；偏要；偏执。例：
Does he persist in saying so？
他仍坚持那么说吗？
9. if needed = if it is needed，这里是一个省略了主语的条件状语从句。这种表达随处可见，例：
It said it was using these to pump back-up supplies to smaller local reservoirs if needed.
如有需要，据说就是抽这里的备用水去为地方上更小的水库供水。
[选自：BBC: South West Water moves supplies to avoid hosepipe ban]
[While most parents do this [out of 1 love],] there are public penalties 2 [for not providing care]. What parents do, ^in other words^, is of deep concern [to 3 the state], [for the obvious reason {that caring for children is not only [morally] urgent but essential 4 [for the future of society].}] The state recognizes this [in the large body of family laws] (that govern children’ welfare 5,) yet parents receive little help [in meeting the life-changing obligations] (society imposes 6.) To classify parenting as a personal choice (for which there is no collective 7 responsibility) is not [merely] [to ignore the social benefits of good parenting]; [really], it is [to steal those benefits] [because they accrue to the whole (of society)] [as today’s children become tomorrow’s productive citizenry.] [In fact], [by some estimates 8], the value (of parental investments in children, investments of time and money (including lost wages)原), is equal to 20-30% (of gross 9 domestic 10 product). [If these investments generate huge social benefits –] ^as they clearly do^ – the benefits (of providing more social support for the family) should be that much 11 clearer.
当然，大部分父母因为爱而呵护孩子，但不作为的话则会受到公共惩罚。换言之，父母所做的种种对国家来说至关重要。原因很明显，关爱孩子不仅在道德上很紧迫，而且对社会的未来也非常重要。尽管国家在管理孩子福利的法律体系中也承认了这点，但是父母在履行社会赋予的改变孩子人生的责任上，却没有得到什么帮助。把抚养孩子划分为一种无集体责任的个人选择，不仅忽略了高质量抚养带来的社会利益；实际上，这样做偷走了这些利益，因为随着今天的孩子变为明天具有生产力的公民，他们在为整个社会作积累。事实上，据估计，父母在孩子身上的投入，投入时间和金钱（包括因误工而未得到的工资），价值等同于国内生产总值的20%到30%。如果这些投入产生巨大的收益的话——而它们显然也产生了——那么为家庭提供更多社会支持的好处就再明显不过了。
注：1. out of prep. 从…里；离…一段距离；离开 ...；出于。例:
A group of girls dashed out of the classroom.
一群女孩子从教室里冲出来。
It’s a dishonest scheme and I’m glad to be out of it.
那是个骗局，我幸而置身事外。
She married the rich man out of vanity.
她出于虚荣心而嫁给了那个富人。
2. penalty n. 处罚，惩罚。例：
death penalty 死刑
Howell was too young at the time of the crime to face the death penalty.
该罪面临着死刑，而Howell当时还太小。
[选自： BBC: Mullany honeymoon murders: Sentencing adjourned]
a financial penalty 经济惩罚
penalty for 对...的处罚，惩金。例：
The penalty for speeding is a 50$fine in this city.
该市对超速行进者处以50美元的罚款。
3. be of concern to 被关注，成为什么的关注所在。例：
The control of the house price is of concern to the government
房价的控制是政府关注的事情。
This will be of concern to the senior Israeli command.
这将成为年长的以色列人统治的关注所在。
[选自：BBC: Where next for under-pressure Israel?]
4. essential adj. (to)必要的，必不可少的；本质的，基本的。例：
Getting enough vitamins is essential to life.
获取足够的维生素是维持生命所必须的。
The lawyer’s essential decency makes it possible to dislike him.
这位律师本性正派，让人不喜欢他都不行。
【派】essentially(adv.本质上)；inessential（adj.无关紧要的）
5. welfare n.福利；安宁，幸福。例：
welfare work 福利事业
welfare state 福利国家
welfare benefits 福利待遇
week the people’s welfare 为人民谋幸福。例：
The parents looked out for their children’s welfare.
父母期待他们的孩子能够幸福平安。
6. impose vt. 征（税）；处以（罚款、监禁等）；（on）把...强加给。文中强加之意。例：
It is inequitable to impose different rules on academies and other types of schools.
对学术机构和其它类型的学校施以不同的政策，这是不公平的。
[选自：BBC: Primary schools national 'offer day' for places]
The commission proposed to impose a new tax.
该委员会提议征收新税。
The regulator has no power to impose fines.
执法者无权罚款。
The government impose restrictions on trade.
该政府对贸易强行施加管制。
7. collective n. 集体，团体。例：
The collective of laid-off workers has founded a new company.
这个由下岗工人组成的团体已经成立了一家新公司。
adj. 集体的，共同的。文中此意，作责任的定语，但又跟责任一起作了主语。例：
The past hard days remain in their collective memories forever.
过去艰苦的岁月永远留在他们共同的记忆里。
8. estimate vt. 估计。例：
I estimate there must be 50 names in the list.
我估计名单上有50个人.
vi. 估价，估算。例：
We asked our builder to estimate for repair of the ceiling.
我们要求施工人员估算一下修理天花板的费用。
n. 估计，估价。文中此意，作名词。例：
He thought my estimate of her character was one-side.
他认为我对她性格的评价是片面的。
The GFE form includes an estimate for title insurance, but you can shop around.
诚信估价表包含了对于产权保险的评估，但你可以自由购买。
[GFE-Good Faith Estimate][选自：MSN: As housing prices drop, closing costs are rising]
9. gross adj. 总的，毛（重）的；显而易见的，粗鲁的。例：
gross income 总收入
gross annual profit 年度毛利
I can’t bear such gross kind of behavior.
我无法忍受这种粗鲁的行为。
n. 总额。例：
My gross income is too poor to support the family.
我们的收入少的可怜，无法养家糊口。
10. domestic adj. 家里的，家庭的；本国的；驯养的。例：
domestic appliance家用电器
domestic market国内市场
Those domestic cattle are healthy.
这些驯养的牛很健康。
文中就是gross domestic product（GDP）国内生产总值
11. that much [那]么多，[那]么些。例：
Do you really have that much time to waste?
你真的有那么多时间去浪费？
Also the hardware is not that much of an upgrade as it is with the macbook.
（New MacBook）对于MacBook来说，在硬件升级上也并没有那么多。
[选自：ENGADGET: New MacBook / MacBook Pro unboxing and first impressions]