Read the following passage and answer the questions :
The conquest of happiness has meant different facts to different generations. Our forefathers took pride in scholarship, a spirit of sacrifice and solicitude for the welfare of others. Gone are those days. Today we live only for ourselves. We are jealous of the advancement of our neighbours. We end up tense and unhappy.
The term ‘happy’ has a variety of meanings. It stands for the lucky, fortunate, content, glad or apt. Happiness lies within the mind of the individual. No amount of external wealth may be helpful in making him happy.
Our forefathers had life styles, very much different from those we have today, Their life was based mainly on the concept of ‘Simple living and high thinking.’ People were satisfied with whatever they obtained after working hard. Excessive material wealth did not mean much for them they derived mental satisfaction and enrichment which they aimed at.
The structural framework of our forefathers families was different from those of ours, They lived in a cohesive joint family structure where they were happier than us. They cared for each other. The siblings grew up with their cousins. The bond of love which they share cannot be easily found in the nuclear family of the day. The family provided an emotional cushioning effect against tension and stress.
Fill in the blanks :
The family provided an ................. cushioning effect .