Lonely People Who Turn to Shopping Become Lonelier, Study Says

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. satisfy [SAT-is-fahy ] (v.) – to feel pleased or contented

Example: Receiving an expensive gift for her birthday satisfied her expectations.

2. vicious cycle[VISH-uh s SAHY-kuh l] (n. phrase) – the condition in which a problem results in another problem

Example: The company was trapped in a vicious cycle, in which low sales led to bankruptcy.

3. down [doun] (adj.) – being low in spirit; depressed

Example: He felt so down after his pet dog died.

4. materialism [muh-TEER-ee-uh-liz-uh m] (n.) – a strong desire to acquire material things

Example: Materialism has urged her to acquire many unnecessary properties.

5. delude [dih-LOOD] (v.) – to be dishonest with someone

Example: The retailer lost many customers after news about him deluding a client came out.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A new study revealed that shopping during depressing times may make a person more susceptible to materialism and loneliness. Professor Rik Pieters of Tilburg University in the Netherlands explored the links between shopping, materialism, and loneliness through a long-term survey involving 2500 consumers. The survey revealed that no matter how much a person earns, loneliness, shopping, and materialism are directly linked to each other. It also claimed that shopping is a vicious cycle. The more materialistic a person is, the lonelier he or she gets. But the lonelier a person gets, the more he or she becomes materialistic. The researcher was also able to identify three different types of shoppers. The first type is the shopper who enjoys the shopping experience and the possession of nice things to feel better when down. On the other hand, the second type of shopper buys new things to compete with others in order to be viewed as more successful. The third type is a person who thinks shopping satisfies his or her desires for comfort and luxury. These shoppers buy things because doing so makes them happy and fills the emptiness they experience. Although materialism may delude people at one point, Pieters said that it may also have a positive effect. People who are capable of buying luxury items appear more contented and happier than others, thus they are considered more pleasant to be with. After all, it is not materialism that is problematic but the reason behind materialism itself.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Why do you think people shop whenever they feel sad?

         Among the three types of shoppers in the article, which do you think is the worst? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         Aside from shopping, how else can people cope with sadness?

         What do you think are the other disadvantages of shopping when one is lonely? Please explain your answer/s.

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Tennis Player Serena Williams Now Plays Only for Fun

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. obstacle [OB-stuh-kuh l] (n.) – something that disturbs progress

Example: She reached her dream of winning an Olympic medal despite the obstacles.

2. descend [dih-SEND] (v.) – to move down from a higher position

Example: The athlete’s career descended after she got injured.

3. recuperate [ri-KOO-puh-reyt, -KYOO-] (v.) – to regain strength after being sick or unhealthy

Example: The injured athlete needed a week of rest to recuperate.

4. enthusiasm [en-THOO-zee-az-uh m] (n.) – the state of having great amount of interest

Example: An athletic person shows strong enthusiasm towards sports.

5. physique [fi-ZEEK] (n.) – one’s body structure, size, and appearance

Example: An athlete’s physique is usually muscular.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

US Open champion Serena Williams admitted that playing tennis is now just for fun after going through some health problems in the previous years. Williams suffered from a cut in her right foot in July 2010. Soon after that obstacle, she was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, preventing her from playing tennis for 11 months. According to Williams, this period was the toughest part of her life, even calling it “11 months of hell.” To make matters worse, she descended to 175th place in the July 2011 world rankings. Nonetheless, this period of “hell” did not stop the 31-year-old athlete from achieving her goals. After recuperating from her sickness and injury, Williams went back to playing tennis and to achieving more titles. She recently defended and won the Flushing Meadows title she won last year. She also won four grand slams in a period of only 14 months. Her comeback is pretty much successful considering that most of her co-athletes are already struggling to compete due to their age. Unlike Williams, athletes such as Roger Federer find it hard to stay in shape upon reaching 30. Although she plays only for fun now, Williams stressed that she still has a childlike enthusiasm for tennis. Despite her age, she continues to love the sport even more, saying that she is still having lots of fun. While she has her physique as an advantage, Williams also makes it a point to strike a balance between power and femininity. She believes that nothing is wrong with being happy and proud of one’s strength and beauty.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         If you were Williams, would you still compete even after suffering from health problems? Why or why not?

         What do you think can be the risks of competing after going through such condition? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         In your opinion, is sports important in having a healthy lifestyle? Why or why not?

         How do you think sports can be promoted to the youth?

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Iranian President Wants Nuclear Deal in Just Three Months

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. negotiation [ni-goh-shee-EY-shuh n, -see-] (n.) – a discussion that aims to achieve an agreement

Example: The deal is not yet settled because it is still under negotiation.

2. beneficial [ben-uh-FISH-uh l] (adj.) – having a good effect or result

Example: Making peace with other countries may be beneficial to a nation’s economy.

3. envision [en-VIZH-uh n] (v.) – to see that something can possibly happen in the future

Example: The President envisioned a successful outcome of the deal.

4. sanction [SANGK-shuh n] (n.) – a punishment or consequence for breaking the law

Example: The United Nations gave sanctions to countries that have disobeyed the set environmental guidelines.

5. treaty [TREE-tee] (n.) – a formally concluded agreement between states or countries

Example: The President and the Prime Minister signed a ten-year treaty of solidarity.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in an interview that he wants to have a nuclear program agreement with the Western countries within three months. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei gave Rouhani the full authority to finalize the nuclear talks. Rouhani said he is persistent to set a three or six-month timetable to seal a nuclear deal, emphasizing that Iran envisions a process lasting in a few months, not years. According to Rouhani, the only way forward is for a timeline to be inserted into the negotiations. Shorter negotiations may be more beneficial for everyone, he added. Iran's economy has been badly affected by years of sanctions imposed by the UN and Western countries over the nuclear issue. The US and some other countries also speculate that Iran is secretly building a bomb with its nuclear program. However, Rouhani emphasized in the latest UN General Assembly that the country enriches uranium only for peaceful purposes. The country also demands for international treaties to recognize its right to enrich uranium. Rouhani also stressed that he desires to immediately resolve the nuclear issue as it may improve Iran’s relationship with the United States. Both countries did not have any diplomatic relationship with each other for more than 30 years now. On another note, the US officials consider Rouhani as a more moderate and less confrontational leader than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. But still, the officials insisted that they prefer concrete actions rather than just words with regard to the nuclear issues. Although Rouhani did not shake hands with Obama in the said assembly, the Iranian president said that he is still open to future meetings with the U.S. leader.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think the nuclear deal will improve the diplomatic relationship between Iran and other countries? Please explain your answer.

         In your opinion, is a shorter nuclear program negotiation better than a longer one? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         How can having a nuclear plant help a country?

         Is having a nuclear plant really necessary? Why or why not?

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All Girl Getaways Throughout the Life-Cycle

"The importance of a girls' getaway (is) to reconnect intimate friendships which have an important influence on female identities."

Some of my buddies and I joke about the all-girl getaways our ladies take once or twice a year.  Our joke is that it is our job to stay close to the phone, bail money in hand.  Just in case.

Over the years they have had some wonderful adventures, though they only came close to arrest once - for riding bicycles on a horse path in an exclusive, up scale resort.  (The private security guards drove Beemers, even.)

Recently, an article published in Annals of Leisure Research detaied  the different purposes and effects for those participating in girlfriend getaways over the life course and the relationship to the life-cycle of the women.

The basis of the article was a study conducted by the authors featuring 79 women of different race, social class, nationality and marital and familial status. They were interviewed about their experiences of an all-female holiday and the information was categorized into themes such as bonding, escape, personal growth and adventure. For each person they fulfill a different role, depending on life stage. Their findings were divided into four life-stages: adolescence, early adulthood, middle adulthood and late adulthood.

1. During adolescence, all girl holidays are a bond forming experience where participants get to discover the nitty-gritty of their friends' personalities, form another dimension to their friendship and use their experiences to create unforgettable memories. They live out their desire for independence and express their rebellion and need to break away from family.
2. At the early adult stage female getaways were found to represent adventure, experimentation, often post-graduation when life changing decisions are being made about their future. These getaways form a 'rite of passage' to the next life stage away from education towards career and family.
3. Female breaks in middle adulthood enable women to feel young and free and have a break from family commitment. On the other hand they often facilitate less joyful transitions such as divorce or a traumatic life event like the death of a loved one. This life stage is when women have a drive to fulfill travel dreams whilst they are still able.
4. During late adulthood, women see a female getaway as a statement of independence and confidence they may not have had in younger life, when they would not have travelled without a husband. Women of this age also use travels as a coping strategy for widowhood. One widow might travel with another to offer support, companionship and friendship. At this life stage friendship is a very important part of women's lives. Friendship is cherished and travelling together helps cement this bond and form valuable memories.

For some, female getaways are an occasional thing but for others they are a whole life phenomenon. This article examines the importance of a girls' getaway to reconnect intimate friendships which have an important influence on female identities. Female group leisure time is the ideal opportunity to converse, support, self-discover and share resources and overall socialise in a way that positively impacts health and well-being throughout life.

Friendships Don't Just Happen!: The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends
by Shasta Nelson

Best Girlfriends Getaways Worldwide
by Marybeth Bond

50 Best Girlfriends Getaways in North America
by Marybeth Bond

Story Source:  Heather J. Gibson, Liza Berdychevsky, Heather L. Bell. Girlfriend getaways over the life course: change and continuity. Annals of Leisure Research, 2012

Depression Links Partner Violence & Food Insecurity

How does domestic violence effect the entire family?  If your characters are in a violent relationship, this study should help you structure the family situation in a more believable way.  In short, violence in the family causes rationing and a lack of balanced nutrition in the family.

*  *  *  *  *

Women who experience physical, mental or sexual abuse at the hands of their partners have an increased likelihood of being food insecure. That's according to a new study out of the University of Houston Texas Obesity Research Center (TORC), which may prove valuable to those creating interventions for those populations.

"The bridge between the two issues is depression," said assistant professor and TORC researcher Daphne Hernandez. "Our study found that women experiencing intimate partner violence are more likely to be depressed, which impacts their ability to ensure a food-secure household."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Core Food Security Module, "food insecurity" reflects rationing, portion control and inability to offer families balanced meals.

Hernandez followed data from nearly 1,700 women involved in a romantic relationship (married or cohabitating with a partner) who also had experienced intimate partner violence (physical, mental and/or sexual).

She found that mothers who experienced intimate partner violence were at 44 percent greater odds of experiencing depression. Additionally, households in which mothers experienced depression were twice as likely to experience food insecurity.

"It appears that depression may impact mothers' motivation to obtain and prepare food due to their decreased appetite, mental and physical fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed," she said. "Additionally the moms' feelings of helplessness, brought on by the violence they experienced, may challenged them to access the proper support."

The goal of this study was to increase the understanding of how the family environment and women's health impact the lives of families with young children. She says this information may prove valuable for those organizations charged with supporting families in times of crisis.

"What this means is that targeting issues central to women's health must become a priority in combating food insecurity," Hernandez said. "Providing mental health screenings at the time individuals apply for food assistance may help identify women who need interventions to keep them safe, mental healthy and food secure."

The study is published in the Journal of Women’s Health.

*  *  *  *  *

Story Source:  Daphne C. Hernandez, Amy Marshall, Concetta Mineo. Maternal Depression Mediates the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence and Food Insecurity. Journal of Women's Health, 2013

Jackie Chan to Build a Theme Park after Opening his Museum

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. artifact [AHR-tuh-fakt] (n.) – an object made by a human, like tools, weapons, or ornaments

Example: Archeologists found some gold and silver artifacts in the cave.

2. set in stone [set - in - stohn] (idiom.) – to emphasize the permanence of something

Example: Anna backed out of the project since it is not yet set in stone.

3. populous [POP-yuh-luhs] (adj.) – characterized with a large population

Example: The place I visited is not populous as you can see only a few houses.

4. memorabilia [mem-er-uh-BIL-ee-uh, -BIL-yuh] (n.) – things kept because of their sentimental value or because they are associated with some important event or person

Example: The memorabilia of the late superstar is displayed in the museum.

5. donate [DOH-neyt, doh-NEYT] (v.) – to give something for a good cause

Example: The proceeds of the movie will be donated to a charity for children.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Renowned martial arts star Jackie Chan has recently revealed his plan to establish his own theme park, which he named after himself, in Beijing, China.   The Jackie Chan World park will be constructed in Yizhuang, a suburb in Beijing. It will include five different areas that will display Chan’s personal collections and artifacts for visitors and fans to see. Visitors do not need to pay upon entering the theme park. However, certain attractions may require fees, which Chan intends to use to keep the theme park in good condition. Right now, things are not really set in stone as no grand opening date has been announced yet. The announcement of the theme park came after the superstar told the public that his museum is set to open this year in Shanghai, China’s most populous city. It will be located within the Changfeng Ecological Business District (CEBD) in Putuo district near the Suzhou Creek. The construction of the museum began in 2008. The said museum will include a gallery of Chan’s movie costumes and other assorted memorabilia collected throughout his career. Sharing his memorabilia and collections in the park and the museum may show how Jackie Chan has grown as a person. Although he wanted to buy everything when he was young, he now wants to donate whatever he has. He also stressed that the happiness of everyone outweighs the happiness of a single person.  Aside from being occupied with the theme park and the museum, Jackie Chan is also currently busy with his acting career. He also spends his time directing and producing films.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Would you be interested in visiting Jackie Chan's theme park once it is established? Why?

         Do you think it is a good idea for Jackie Chan to put up a theme park? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         In your opinion, how would the Chinese people feel about Jackie Chan’s plan? Why do you think so?

         How do you think Jackie Chan's theme park can affect China and its economy?

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