Bài đọc hiểu 16: Men’s role in advancing gender equality: progress and challenges.

Cấp độ: B1 (Intermediate)

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Men have always played critical roles in the women’s movement. But there is still a long way to go because despite all the progress made, men still dominate positions of power. And, as a string of recent harassment scandals has shown, the behaviour of some men has had profound effects on women’s careers, their success and their lives. The good news, as we mark International Women’s Day, is that many men are acknowledging the importance of playing their part to make gender equality a reality.

A new study by Ipsos Mori has found that while a third of British men think they are being expected to do too much to support women’s equality, far more – half – do not. In fact, three in five men in Britain agree that gender equality won’t be achieved unless they also take action to support women’s rights.

Despite attempts in some quarters to paint gender equality as a zero-sum game, there are plenty of win-win propositions for these men to advocate. Better parental leave for fathers would be a good start. Government policy needs to catch up with this new reality, and the evidence is clear that, unless paternity leave is non-transferable and well paid, uptake will be low. Sweden and Norway show us that the introduction of the “daddy quota” – the period of parental leave reserved specifically for fathers – has a positive effect on male take-up of parental leave, and then on men’s long-term involvement in household work and childcare. This reaps economic dividends, as women’s talents are no longer lost to the labour force, and having an involved father has a positive effect on children’s wellbeing.

Globally, three-quarters (72%) agree that employers should make it easier for men to combine childcare with work. Businesses need not fear: research links flexible working to increased productivity, as better work-life balance leads to happier, more effective workers. Women gain from having flexible partners, too. A study of German couples found that having a partner who works flexibly boosted the wages of men and women, with the effect most pronounced for mothers. Conversely, women whose partners work very long hours are significantly more likely to quit the labour force – taking their talent and experience with them.

500 Bài Luyện Đọc Hiểu – Đọc Điền Tiếng Anh by Trang Anh

NEW VOCABULARY:

Profound (adjective) /prəˈfaʊnd/ – sâu sắc, có ảnh hưởng lớn.

Quarters (noun) /ˈkwɔːrtərz/ – khu vực, khu phố

Zero-sum (adjective) /ˈzɪroʊ sʌm/ – tổng cộng bằng không

Uptake (noun) /ˈʌpteɪk/ – sự tiếp thu, sự hiểu biết

Paternity (noun) /pəˈtɜːrnəti/ – sự làm cha, quyền làm cha

Non-transferable (adjective) /ˌnɒnˈtrænsfərəbl̩/ – không thể chuyển giao

Flexibly (adverb) /ˈfleksəbli/ – một cách linh hoạt

Pronounced (adjective) /prəˈnaʊnst/ – rõ ràng, rõ rệt

QUESTIONS:

Question 1: Which best serves as the title for the passage?

A. Gender equality is not a “women’s issue”. B. Shifting from one gender sphere to another.

C. How to effortlessly tackle gender inequality. D. Gender equality and women empowerment.

Question 2: According to paragraph 1, how is the current situation of gender equality movement?

A. There are many men who are proud feminists and dedicated activists.

B. It is just treading water for a long time since the beginning of movement.

C. The quantitative differences have yet turned into qualitative change.

D. The recent evidences displays a hint of retrogressing development.

Question 3: The word “uptake” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to _______.

A. consumption B. utilisation C. ceremony D. manipulation

Question 4: According to paragraph 3, which characteristic of gender movement acts as an incentive for male involvement?

A. One gender’s gain or loss is exactly balanced by the loss or gain of the other.

B. The outcome is beneficial for both parties – genders – involved in the process.

C. It is initially tough and dire but becomes smooth as they progress.

D. It is practically a dead-end which can instigate the male’s competitiveness.

Question 5: The word “pronounced” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to _______.

A. faint B. noticeable C. expressive D. thick

Question 6: The word “them” in paragraph 4 refers to _____.

A. links B. partners C. men D. women

Question 7: Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the passage?

A. “Daddy quota” is the scheme drafted by the Japanese employers.

B. There are still voices claiming the rigidly win-or-lose nature of gender movement.

C. There are already as many women as men in the corridors of power.

D. Every person concur with the idea that paternal life and work can go hand in hand.

Question 8: What does the writer want to imply?

A. Gender equality and women’s empowerment do not mean that men and women become the same.

B. Progress on gender equality is picking up and we are about to achieve a gender-equal world.

C. Women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

D. To make equality a reality we need to draw more male feminists into the gender conversation.