The Generation Gap: Myth or Reality?

Interviewer: Good afternoon! I want to ask you several questions about the generation gap: is it a myth or reality?

Psychologist: Good afternoon, I suppose the generation gap is reality.

Interviewer: Why do you think so?

Psychologist: Because we have the difficult child, the child who is unhappy. He is at war with the world and his parents.

Interviewer: What are the usual arguments against giving more freedom to the child?

Psychologist: The usual argument against freedom for children is that life is hard, and parents must train the children so that they will fit into life later on. Parents must therefore discipline them.

Interviewer: Why is it wrong to pressure a child into obedience?

Psychologist: Fear is a terrible thing in child’s life. Only hate can flourish in the atmosphere of fear.

Interviewer: How should the new generation be brought up?

Psychologist: It seems to me it’s clear that we should bring up the next generation with the greater respect for law and for other people’s rights.

 

What is your opinion of the following statements? Agree or disagree.

1. Young people should only leave home after they are married.

1. Young people should never leave home without their parent’s permission.

2. Young people who live at home should pay rent to their parents.

3. Young people should only stay at home when they can’t find anywhere to live.

4. Young people who leave home are selfish.

5. The state should help young people to find a home of their own.

6. Young people should allow elderly parents to live with them.

 

A major problem for many teenagers is who they can ask for advice when they need it: parents, teachers, the youth leader or a friend. Sometimes, if it is a very personal problem, teenagers write to a magazine. Read the following letter and give your advice.

I’m 15. My parents got divorced five years ago. My father drank a lot and made life miserable. Although he made good money, we were always broke. After they had got divorced, I had to stay with my father, although my mother had custody. She had no money and she wouldn’t pay child support. When Mum met another man, I was invited to live with them. Now she is thinking of leaving him. She has told me I’ll have to go back to my father. I will not put myself in that position. What should I do? (Tom, 15)

 

4. Read the text and do the activities that follow.

Coping With Stress

Although stress can sometimes be a good thing because it gives you the motivation to do your best, it can have a harmful effect on you mentally and physically. If it continues for too long, it can cause sleeplessness, anxiety, mood swings, depression and illness. Here are 10 ways to combat excess stress.

1 ______________________________________________

By doing this you will feel in control and decide which things are more urgent and important. Feeling prepared can get rid of a lot of stress. Much stress is caused by doing things when there isn't enough time to do them, e.g. revising everything you have learned the night before a test.

2 ______________________________________________ Instead of worrying about doing something or avoiding it because you are scared of doing it (in case you fail) – just do it! The sooner you take action, the more time you will have if anything goes wrong.

3 ______________________________________________

Keeping your body healthy reduces stress. Cut down on too much caffeine and sweet things. Make sure you get enough sleep and vitamin C.

4 _____________________________________________ Deep breathing works because getting more oxygen into your body relaxes you. You can either take up yoga or simply try breathing in deeply through your nose then exhaling through your mouth, and then repeat it ten times.

5 _____________________________________________ Doing something you really enjoy means you get a chance to take a break and 'recharge your batteries'. People who don't do this feel depressed and then their problems seem bigger and they can no longer put them into perspective.

6 ______________________________________________ If you think negatively, stress can take over but if you keep reminding yourself that you can cope and that you know what you are doing, stress often goes away.

7 ______________________________________________ You can't change them so why worry? Work on the things you can do something about.

8 ____________________________________________ Find out about new things: two clichés that people often quote are 'variety is the spice of life' and 'a change is as good as a rest'. The good news is that they are both true. Realizing that the world holds a lot more possibilities than the things you generally focus on can make you forget your problems.

9 _______________________________________________ Telling people about your problems can often help. 'This way you will feel less isolated. You should also tell people such as teachers or boyfriends / girlfriends or parents how stressed you feel about certain things. Once they realize how you feel they might be able to help, e.g. proving to parents that you are adult and mature rather than shouting it at them during an argument often helps.

10 ________________________________________________ Find somewhere where you have space to think, rest and generally chill out. You should also use this space to write down some possible solutions to the things that are stressing you. Then write down possible ways you can do those things. Attacking the problem is better than waiting for it to just go away.

a) Add the headings. Put these headings with the correct pieces of advice into gaps.

1. Stop worrying about things you can’t change.

2. Look after yourself.

3. Don’t procrastinate the people who are close to you.

4. Breathe!

5. Stay positive.

6. Remember to have fun.

7. Organize and prioritize.

8. Try new things.

9. Take charge and be pro-active.

10. Communicate.

b) Read the sentences about stress. Change the words. Each phrasal verb is in the wrong place. Rearrange them into the correct places.

1. It’s tempting to (1) calm down when the task you need to do seems enormous, but you must (2) take on these negative feelings. Tell yourself that you can cope.

2. If you’re panicking, take a few deep breaths and (3) bottle up.

3. Don’t (4) turn down too much at once. (5)Get over your work into achievable units.

4. Don’t (6) blow over your feelings. Talk about your anxieties with the people who are close to you.

5. Everyone needs a break, so don’t (7) give up invitations to socialize.

6. Write down possible solutions to your problems. You’ll feel better if you’re doing something positive to deal with stress, rather than waiting for the situation to (8) break up.

 

BLOCK III