1. Nowadays, more and more social problems are associated with being young.
1) What teens' problems are discussed in this magazine article? While reading find the words in the article that can help you to understand the meaning of the highlighted words. Then find the correct meaning of these words in the column on the right, (reading for specific information)
WHAT MAKES OUR CHILDREN DO THIS?
Today it is fashionable to speak about teenage problems. A few years ago alcohol, fights, killings and other kinds of violence were more problems for adults than for young people.
But now, as official reports admit, violence, AIDS,* drugs and alcohol are more and more associated with youngsters. For many children from poor families violence, drinking problems and all that is associated with poverty becomes more real than reality.
The Government surveys show that every fifth teenager who was arrested for criminal actions, was younger than 14 and could not be sent to prison. Almost half of teenagers have an experience with drugs, alcohol and sex under age of 16. A lot of teenagers who have drug or alcohol addiction almost never believe that they are dependent. These things are often combined with family and school problems.
What has gone wrong? Some specialists explain that the changes of our society, the system of our life force young people to choose their own lifestyle. On the one hand, our society agrees that 15-17-year-old people are old enough to be responsible for what they do and give them quite a lot of freedom and rights. On the other hand, most adults think that teenagers are too young to be taken seriously. This misunderstanding produces many problems. Actually, a lot of teenagers say that their parents let them do anything they want and are quite indifferent to their problems. Many teenagers get upset or depressed when they can't solve their problems. As a result, it makes them believe that there is only one way out — to stop living and commit suicide.
No doubt, the teens' problems will increase. And young people should feel that they are cared for.
2) What makes young people do these things? How do different people explain the reasons for teenagers' behaviour?
3) IN YOUR CULTURE
Which problems discussed in the article can be applied to your country? (reading for specific information)
1) What teens' problems are discussed in this magazine article? While reading find the words in the article that can help you to understand the meaning of the highlighted words. Then find the correct meaning of these words in the column on the right, (reading for specific information)
WHAT MAKES OUR CHILDREN DO THIS?
Today it is fashionable to speak about teenage problems. A few years ago alcohol, fights, killings and other kinds of violence were more problems for adults than for young people.
But now, as official reports admit, violence, AIDS,* drugs and alcohol are more and more associated with youngsters. For many children from poor families violence, drinking problems and all that is associated with poverty becomes more real than reality.
The Government surveys show that every fifth teenager who was arrested for criminal actions, was younger than 14 and could not be sent to prison. Almost half of teenagers have an experience with drugs, alcohol and sex under age of 16. A lot of teenagers who have drug or alcohol addiction almost never believe that they are dependent. These things are often combined with family and school problems.
What has gone wrong? Some specialists explain that the changes of our society, the system of our life force young people to choose their own lifestyle. On the one hand, our society agrees that 15-17-year-old people are old enough to be responsible for what they do and give them quite a lot of freedom and rights. On the other hand, most adults think that teenagers are too young to be taken seriously. This misunderstanding produces many problems. Actually, a lot of teenagers say that their parents let them do anything they want and are quite indifferent to their problems. Many teenagers get upset or depressed when they can't solve their problems. As a result, it makes them believe that there is only one way out — to stop living and commit suicide.
No doubt, the teens' problems will increase. And young people should feel that they are cared for.
2) What makes young people do these things? How do different people explain the reasons for teenagers' behaviour?
3) IN YOUR CULTURE
Which problems discussed in the article can be applied to your country? (reading for specific information)