通过阅读学四级词汇5

  A s a wise man once said, we are all ultimately alone. But an increasing number of Europeans are choosing to be so at an ever earlier age. This isn’t the stuff of gloomy philosophical contemplations, but a fact of Europe’s new economic landscape, embraced by sociologists, real?estate developers and ad executives alike.The shift away from family life to solo lifestyle, observes a French sociologist, is part of the “irresistible momentum of individualism” over the last century.The communications revolution, the shift form a business culture of stability to one of mobility and the mass entry of women into the workforce have greatly wreaked havoc Europeans’ private lives.
         Europe’s new economic climate has largely fostered the trend toward independence.The current generation of home?aloners came of age during Europe’s shift form social democracy to the sharper,more individualistic climate of American?style capitalism.Raised in an era of privatization and increased consumer choice.Today’s tech?savvy workers have embraced a free and temperamentally independent enough to want to do so.

         Once upon a time, people who lived alone tended to be those on either side of marriage — twenty something professionals or widowed senior citizens.While pensioners, particularly elderly women, make up a large proportion of those living alone, the newest crop of singles are high earners in their 30s and 40s who increasingly view living alone as a lifestyle choice.
         Living alone was conceived to be negative — dark and cold, while being together suggested warmth and light.But then came along the idea of singles.They were young, beautiful, strong ! Now, young people want to live alone.
         The booming economy means people are working harder than ever.And that doesn’t leave much room for relationships.Pimpi Arroyo, a 35?year?old composer who lives alone in a house in Paris, says he hasn’t got time to get lonely because he has too much work. “I have deadlines which would make life with someone else fairly difficult.” Only an Ideal Woman would make him change his lifestyle, he says.Kaufann, author of a recent book called “The Single Woman and Prince Charming,” thinks this fierce new individualism means that people expect more and more of mates, so relationships don’t last long — if they start at all.Eppendorf, a blond Berliner with a deep tan.teaches grade school in the mornings.In the afternoon she sunbathes or sleeps, resting up for going dancing.Just shy of 50, she says she’d never have wanted to do what her mother did — give up a career to raise a family. Instead, “I’ve always done what I wanted to do : live a self?determined life.”【2005年6月】
         一位智者曾言道，我们最终都会是形单影只。
         但有越来越多的欧洲人年纪轻轻地就这样生活。这可不是为了进行晦涩艰深的哲学沉思，而是因为欧洲经济面貌的根本改观；社会学家，房地产开发商，广告商也持有类似观点。一位法国的社会学家认为，这意味着从家庭生活向单身独居的转变，但这只不过是百年以来那股“不可抵挡的个人主义潮流”的一部分。通信革命，商业文化由稳定型向流动型的转变以及大批女性涌入就业市场，极大地撼动了欧洲人的私生活。