DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS?
Every person has rights. To protect children`s rights the UNITED NATIONS
(an international organization to which nearly all countries in the world belong)
has worked out an international agreement called the UNITED NATION CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
Article 16.
“No child shall be subjected to unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, or correspondence…”
CONTENTS:
I.PROBLEMS WITH PARENTS.
II.TODAY`S YOUTH.
III.HOW MUCH FREEDOM SHOULD CHILDREN HAVE?
IV.TEENAGE IS A DIFFICULT TIME.
Quiz
Do you have any problems at home? Do you get оn well with your parents? Do you think they don’t understand you or they are too strict?
So here is PARENTS’ TEST. Just how bad are your parent? Are they normal? Answer the questions, and see how your parents score. Then compare their scores with other people’s.
What happens when there’s something on your plate at mealtimes that
you don’t want to eat?
Your parents call an ambulance.
They say you have to eat it – for your own good.
They say ‘OK, don’t worry – have a really big bowl of ice-cream’.
What do your parents say about coming home in the evenings?
It doesn’t matter – you can come home when you like.
You can only go out if at least three adults come with you.
You must usually be home by a certain time, unless there is a very good
explanation.
What do your parents say about the way you dress?
You can wear anything you like, anywhere you like. In fact, they buy
chains, leather jackets, dirty jeans and old T-shirts for you.
You must wear exactly what everyone in your family has worn since the
fourteen century.
You can wear fashionable clothes, but they like you to be neat and tidy,
especially for school or formal occasions.
What do they say about your music?
You cannot play any music except Beethoven.
They like to know what music you’re buying. They usually don’t mind,
but there are some groups they don’t want you to listen to.
It doesn’t matter what you play – you can’t hear it because of your
parents’ New Kids On The Block records anyway.
What are their feelings about television, videos and films?
There are certain things they don’t want you to watch.
Their own favourite film is Blood and Car Accidents and they keep
asking you to take them to see it.
You must not watch any films, videos or TV until you are thirty-five,
and then a doctor must be with you.
How do they feel about school work?
You cannot eat if you don’t get top marks in every test.
They like you to try your best. If you don’t get good marks all the time,
it’s not so bad.
What school work?
Score your parents as follows:
(a) 3 (b)2 (c) 1
(a) 1 (b)3 (c) 2
(a) 1 (b)3 (c) 2
(a) 3 (b)2 (c) 1
(a) 2 (b)1 (c) 3
(a) 3 (b)2 (c) 1
Add your parents’ score up. The higher their score, the stricter they are.
Score 6-10: Oh dear. Are your parents doing their job properly? They’re a bit
soft, aren’t they? You might think this is wonderful, but actually
you need a few rules in life. Without rules, you’ll grow up into a big
softie too, and life will be a shock. Ask your parents to give you
some rules, and start telling you off more often.
Score 11-14: This is good, believe it or not. Your parents are thinking about you
and your future and would like you to grow up happy and normal
– and you probably will. It’s a strange world, isn’t it?
Score 15-18: Wow! Your parents are incredibly strict. If they really are this
strict, then you’re a member of a royal family or something, and
all these rules are necessary for your safety. If not, try telling them
that you don’t need that much protection. But you have to show
them that you can be responsible and that you’re beginning to
think and act like an adult. Then they won’t worry so much.
2. Read the text and fill in the gaps in the sentences below then add some rules for your parents.
RULES FOR PARENTS
Parents! Try to understand your children. Be friendly when our friends come to visit us. Remember that we need our private places. Don’t tidy up our rooms – we can’t find anything after that. Allow children to keep animals at home. Let children choose their clothes and haircuts by themselves. And explain to me why I can’t eat in front of the TV? I think this rule is silly.
Try (1) ________ your kids.
Be (2) ________ when our friends come to visit us.
Remember that we need (3) ________.
Allow children (4) ________.
Children can choose their (5) ________ by themselves.
Not to eat in front of the TV is a (6) ________ rule.
3. Reading.
Read these passages and choose the best answer for the questions below.
mentally – умственно
sinful – грешный
TODAY’S YOUTH
… And one of the most important factors is that the children of today differ from previous generation, and differ a lot. They grow up quicker – physically and mentally. They sometimes lack knowledge, but they know what they want in this life. They are personalities even at the age of 14-15. Unfortunately some grown-ups don’t understand this, and try to show teens “the right way of life”. It’s stupid, for children don’t want to listen to them; very often grown-ups lose contact with teens.
Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
the children of today differ a lot from previous generations
very often grown-ups lose contact with teens because the young are personalities even at the age of 14-15
very often grown-ups lose contact with teens because they try to show teens “the right way of life”
the teens of today know what they want in this life
…Yes, I completely agree that they grow up more quickly and are not so dependent on their parents. They think more for themselves and do not blindly accept the ideas of their elders. The old always assume that they know best for the simple reason that they have been around a bit longer. They don’t like to feel that their values are being questioned or threatened. And this is precisely what the young are doing. They doubt that the older generation has created the best of all possible worlds.
Which of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
the young don’t like the ideas and values of their elders
they think only about themselves
they think more for themselves and doubt that the older generation has created the best of all possible worlds
they don’t want to be dependent on their parents
…What the young reject more than anything is conformity. Office hours, for instance, are nothing more than enforced slavery. Wouldn’t people work best if they were given complete freedom and responsibility?
Traditionally, the young have turned to the older for guidance. Today, the situation might be reversed. The old – if they are prepared to admit it – could learn a thing or two from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not sinful. Enjoyment is a principle one could apply to all aspects of life. It is surely not wrong to enjoy your work and your leisure.
The main idea of this passage is that:
The young reject conformity, apply enjoyment to all aspects of life, including work, and could teach a thing or two the older generation if they were prepared to admit it.
The young want complete freedom and responsibility, and don’t want to turn to the older for guidance because the older generation can’t apply enjoyment to all aspects of life
What passage are the following sentences taken from?
Where exactly do they go?
Events which the older generation remembers vividly are nothing more than past history. This is as should be. Every new generation is different from the one that preceded it. Today the difference is very marked indeed.
And what about clothing? Who said that all the men in the world should wear drab grey suits and convict haircuts?
The young are better educated; they have a lot more money to spend and enjoy more freedom.
DISCUSSION
In your opinion, what is the most important problem confronting youth in Russia today? Why do you think so?
What should be done about this problem? What would you do about it?
Are there any problems that you think are common to young people in many different countries? Why do you think it is this way?
■
This letter was sent to the newspaper. Read it. Can you answer the question of the title?
Parents and Children – Who is Right and Who is Guilty?
The problem which I am going to discuss is as old as the world but it is still being discussed nowadays. For some the answer to this question is quite clear. But I suspect that most children are still going to face this problem very often. They try to find a way out, but sometimes it is not enough for effective results. Because of this it is necessary to search again for harmony between parents and children, old and new generations.
The most obvious aspect of the topic is that children think they are the victims of their parents’ power. This is normal because life is not static. Sometimes parents do not understand us. It is hard to image that you never have conflicts with your parents about your dressing style, music, interests, friends and so on. How often have you heard phrases in family arguments such as “That is absurd!”, “I have made my decision and it is final”, “I am not going to argue about it!”
The parents’ advantage in this case is quite clear. In the transition period we, as a rule, depend on our “tutors”. It is not a problem for parents to find arguments against children’s actions. The reasons can be different: danger, anxiety, trouble and so on. For many years children do not understand their parents. But eventually a new period of life comes. It is necessary to persuade parents that the child has become independent. Otherwise children remain with a “child status” for a long time.
No, I do not think that you should run to your parents and demand independence. It is not simple because many arguments will not work. I just present all sides of the conflict in order to find a way to achieve harmony and to make a compromise.
The second aspect is not so popular. Children see in parents first of all people who gave us life. Later they notice other sides of them with negative and positive aspects. Parents become competitors and idols, enemies and friends, and sometimes even “children”. One day you see that your parents are like kids with strange habits. The idea comes that you have changed positions; you do not understand your parents, and you have life yourself. When this moment comes, it is better to support them and to give them understanding, as you wanted the same thing from them many years ago.
Maybe someone is very far from this topic; still I believe that it is true and, independently of time, this problem will be eternal.
Match the paragraphs to the headings:
conclusion _______
misunderstanding _______
introduction to the topic _______
suggestions _______
things change _______
Underline key sentences in each paragraph. Do you agree with the author?
■
Facts from Great Britain
What do they think?
68% would seek advice from their parents about personal problems
62% said they learn about adulthood responsibilities from their parents
55% perceived their parents as the main source of income
30% wanted to stay in the same area after leaving school to be near their home
conducted by the National Youth Agency
■ Read the article and say in what way it is similar to the previous one, though it speaks about young people in GreatBritain.
Attitude to parents
In recent decades much has been made of the term ‘generation gap’, referring particularly to the gap in age, aspiration1 and understanding between young teenagers and their parents that often appears to be the cause of friction2. However, research indicates that many young people still perceive3 their parents, rather than their teachers or other adults, as models from whom they draw their main beliefs and attitudes. Parents are also regarded as the main providers of advice about general problems as well as about employment. Survey findings show that many young people have an ambivalent4 attitude to the constraints5 of parental authority. They aspire6 to the independence to go out where and when they want but they understand the fact that parents are concerned about where they are going and set times for them to return home.
Find the sentence which:
explains what “generation gap” is
shows the result of research of the problem
says about children’s attitude to the parents’ authority
What do you think?
Young people rely upon their parents as the main providers of money, food and all the necessary amenities7 for life.
Yes No
Young people perceive their parents as models of their main beliefs and attitudes.
Yes No
Do a survey in your class to get to know what your peers feel about pressure from their parents.
|
| Very pressed | Slightly pressed | Not at all pressed |
| Coming home late |
|
|
|
| Clothes type | |||
| Doing homework | |||
| Cleaning about the house | |||
| Choosing friends | |||
| Spending your mo-ney |
■
Read what D. Holt says about bringing children up. For English sentences on the left choose their translation into Russian from the list on the right. Read them again. Do you agree with the author?
D. Hold
What They Live
If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
they learn to be shy.
If children live with tolerance,
they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement,
they learn confidence.
If children live with praise,
they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.
If children live with security,
they learn faith.
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance, and friendship,
they learn to find love in the world.
Дети учатся жизни, которой они живут
Если детей критиковать, они учатся обвинять.
Если дети видят враждебность, они учатся драться.
Если дети живут в страхе, они учатся бояться.
Если детей жалеть, они учатся жалеть себя.
Если детей высмеивать, они учатся быть застенчивыми.
Если дети видят ревность, они узнают, что такое зависть.
Если детей стыдить, они учатся чувствовать себя виноватыми.
Если дети живут в атмосфере терпимости, они учатся быть терпеливыми.
Если детей подбадривать, они вырастают уверенными в себе.
Если детей хвалить, они учатся ценить.
Если детей одобрять, они учатся нравиться себе.
Если детей принимать такими, какие они есть, они учатся видеть в мире любовь.
Если дети получают признание, они учатся быть благородными и щедрыми.
Если дети видят честность и справедливость, они знают, что такое правда и справедливость.
Если дети растут в безопасности, они учатся верить в себя и в тех, кто их окружает.
Если дети живут в атмосфере дружелюбия, они учатся тому, что мир - прекрасен.
Если дети живут в атмосфере душевной чистоты, они учатся душевному спокойствию.
«С чем живут Ваши дети?»
Дороти Л. Нолт
What is the English for:
насмешка, уверенность, враждебность, терпимость, похвала, подбадривать, безопасность, дружелюбие, честность, одобрение, вера.
Do you know the nouns?
hostile – hostility;
secure –
accept –
encourage –
fair –
confident –
tolerant –
just –
patience –
There are some sentences in Russian, which are not translated. Can you do it yourself?
Use the prompts:
Criticize, to be afraid (to be scared), to accuse, feel sympathy for smb., put smb. to shame, fear, jealousy, gentle, generous, recognize
■
Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passage below.
possessive, upbringing, permissive, run wild, suppress, formative, adolescence, authoritarian, juvenile delinquency, rebelliousness
HOW MUCH FREEDOM SHOULD CHILDREN HAVE?
It is often said that we live in a (1) ________ age, one in which people are allowed to do almost anything they like. Is this good for children? They are going through their (2) ________, which is a very (3) ________ stage of their development since their final adult characters are beginning to take shape. Some parents think it is good for children to be allowed to (4) ________, without control or supervision. They say that this enables children’s personalities to develop naturally and that they will learn to be responsible by the mistakes they make. However, this might lead to (5) ________, with the children ending up in the courts, or it might simply make children self-centred, without any consideration for others. Other parents believe in being strict, but taken to extremes this can produce a too (6) ________ atmosphere in the home, with the children being dominated and ruled by their parents. Parents can also be very (7) ________ and try to keep their children dependent on them. These last two attitudes can encourage (8) ________ (against parents, school, authority) in a child, or conversely, (9) ________ a child’s natural sense of adventure and curiosity. A strict (10) ________ by over-caring parents can make a child so timid and inhibited that he or she is unable to express freely his or her emotions and form mature relationships. To bring up children to be normal, well-adjusted human being requires great wisdom, and perhaps a bit of luck.
Words to use
possessive – собственнический
adolescence – юность
permissive – разрешающий, позволяющий
juvenile delinquency – детская преступность
suppress – подавлять
rebelliousness – непослушание, неповиновение
formative – образующий
supervision – контроль
responsible – ответственный
court – суд
strict – строгий
extreme – крайность
curiosity – любопытство
timid – робкий
inhibited – замкнутый
mature – зрелый, взрослый
adjust – приспосабливать(ся)
wisdom – мудрость
Answer the questions:
How is the age, in which people are allowed to do everything they like, called?
Why is adolescence considered to be formative?
Why do some parents think that children should be allowed to do what they want?
What are disadvantages of a very strict upbringing?
2.Match the course and the result.
| free upbringing (without any control) | 1. too tense atmosphere at home |
| 2. juvenile delinquency | |
| 3. a timid and inhibited teenager | |
|
very strict upbringing | 4. teenagers are dominated and ruled by parents (even when they grow up) |
| 5. children become rebels | |
| 6. disabled to form relationships | |
| 7. suppress a child’s natural sense of adventure |
3. Make up sentences according to the model.
If parents do not control their child…
In case parents are too strict and dominate too much…
4.What kind of upbringing do you have? What kind of it would you like to have? How do you think you would bring up your kids?
Read the text.
Use the words given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line.
UNDERSTANDING BOYS
The (1) _________ of children starts as soon as EDUCATE
they are born. Boys are allowed to make more (2) _________, NOISY
to play with guns and cause more trouble. Such education
prepares boys for (3) _________ in the world and for little POWERFUL
else. But all boys are (4) _________. Some boys are good at DIFFERENCE
(5) _________ and poetry whereas others are good at COOK
football or maths. Boys aren’t (6) _________ and rebels, CONFORM
“machos” and “wimps”. If we can (7) _________ them that ASSURANCE
all these types are okey, it may help to reduce the _________ (8) BULLY
of those boys who are the least macho by those
who are.
“Wimp” means “слабак”, can you explain what “macho” means?
How do all types of boys differ? What each type is good at?
■
Read the text, then put the sentences in the logical order.
Teen Age
One day I walked down N. street. It was raining. I felt lonely. No sun, no green trees, no smiling faces. November was in my soul.
I saw a monument. I didn’t know who the figure was. Frankly speaking, it mattered nothing to me. But I came across a crazy idea: to talk to him.
‘Hi! I am as alone as you are.’
To my surprise he said: ‘Hi!’ I was shocked! I have never heard the voice of a monument.
‘I see you are shocked. Don’t you know that monuments can talk like people?’
‘But why haven’t people ever heard your voice?’
‘Alas! People have never tried to talk to us. You think we are a mere mass of marble or bronze. I observe people and think a lot about them. They are passing by so fast, and nobody looks around! Have you ever looked at the sky? Have you ever seen the stars?’
‘I’m sorry for mankind. But in our practical world we suffer from a lack of time. We can’t spend it on such stuff!’ I tried to explain.
‘But then how cruel and selfish you are! In my first life (when I was a man) I was like you. I wanted to be at the top. All people wanted to be at the top! But I was the best!’
‘Oh, I know who you are. You are Napoleon, aren’t you?’ I guessed.
‘Foolish girl! You are so naive!’
‘Stop! Don’t forget that you are only a monument.’
‘Sorry. You – people – are all quite the same.’
‘Forgive me, please.’
The monument kept silent for several minutes and for those minutes I waited. Frankly speaking, I felt admiration talking to him. Then I said, “Hi, Mr. Napoleon! What are you thinking about?”
‘Are you still here? I am thinking about eternal things. But why are you here? Your parents are worrying about you. They are waiting for you. Your mom has already cooked a tasty dinner, your dad is sitting and watched TV as usual; your brother is listening to his crazy music. They love you. Go home and don’t disturb me!’
After his words I thought: ‘Really, what am I doing here? Alone, in the rain? It’s simply my dangerous age – teen age, as my mom says’.
Your parents are worrying about you.
To my surprise the monument began speaking.
What am I doing here?
November was in my soul.
How cruel and selfish you are!
A crazy idea came to my mind.
I observe people passing by.
I felt lonely.
It’s simply my teen age.
They love you.
I’m thinking about eternal things.
It was raining.
Give a short summary.
Read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line.
ignorant – невежественный
literate – грамотный, образованный
YOUTH IS A DIFFICULT TIME
Every day we have to make important (1) _________. DECIDE
It is very hard to make them in (2) _________, because YOUNG
we are not children, for (3) _________ the world is so simple WHO
and not yet adults, who have life experience. In this (4) TRANSIT
_________ period teenagers are very (5) _________; full of CHANGE
self-criticism, frequent changes of mood, (6) _________ with SATISFY
their appearance. Teenagers are also easily (7) _________ by INFLUENCE
others. And just in this period a great number of people begin to
smoke, communicate with (8) _________ groups. But I think, DIFFER
you should love (9) _________, in order to find the right way in YOU
life and place in (10) _________. I guess, you should not only SOCIAL
follow your wishes, but also fulfil all your duties in time, control
(11) _________. I would like to say that we shouldn’t be YOU
(12) _________. LITERATE
Ignorance makes (13) _________ a sore point EMPLOY
So, we are (14) _________ persons and we should RESPONSE
respect (15) ________ WE
and other people, too. And to respect yourself means to wish
yourself (16) _________ and try to make your dreams HAPPY
come true.
Write the list of things which explain why youth is a difficult time. Add your own ideas.
IN CONCLUSION.
What does the right to privacy mean?
1 aspiration – желание, стремление
2 friction - трение
3 perceive – понимать, воспринимать
4 ambivalent - неоднозначный
5 constraint – принуждение, давление
6 aspire - стремиться
7 amenity - удобство
