23. Generation gap.

Relations between parents and their children have always remained a very important problem in our society. Parents love their children; they try to do their best to make their children happy. Parents buy all things their children need, but sometimes it is very difficult, because they don't have enough money. So, parents do all their duties to bring up their loved "babies" and to give them a good education. Strange us it might seem but sometime there appears some misunderstanding between parents and children. The problem may be that: Parents always try to plan their children's lives. They choose clothes, school and even friends for their children. But children want to be independent; especially when they become older. But their parents still think they are children and continue to treat them if they were small. It makes "children" cross and there can be quarrels in the family, because of overcaring. On the other-hand there are a lot of families where parents don't attend to their children. Children need love and care, and if they are not looked after and have too much freedom they want to do something exciting and sometimes it can end badly. Parents shouldn't punish their children, because it isn't a way of solving problems. They have to explain what is good and what is bad. Children must have good childhood, and parents should try to make friends with their own children. Parents must understand that their children are not copies of themselves. Their children are new people, different from their parents. Yes, I agree that children try to repeat parents' actions and try to be similar to them, but they have their own opinion, and their characters differ from their parents. Parents have to remember that they were children too and must bear accountability/onus for their children. Everything has to be balanced.

24. Marriage

Marriage is a union of man and woman who decided to live together. Marriage is not a simple step in any case. Happy marriage should be built on the basis of love and complete understanding. Good match – is te union of man and woman, which satisfies desires and needs of both participants.

International marriage were very popular in Russia in 90s with the opening of the Iron Curtain and economical crises in our country, and they occur nowadays. There are exit “good matches” among them. But many our countrywoman fail in divorce and children live with their fathers.

The chief reason of the unfortunated marriage with the foreigners is the incompatibility of the expectations of our woman with the expectations of the foreign men. Our woman think that foreign life is easy and beautiful, and men are rich and kind. Forein men, in turn, consider, that our women are housewifes, depending on their husbands. Both persons will have to understand and accept the national traditions and habits of the other. Later both become deeply disappointed. People should have similar visions of the main human principles and ready to create a long-term relationship. The basic elements of marriage are love, mutual understanding, respect and common goals. A family isn't complete without children. So, marriage is art.

Wedding ceremonies.

A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of wedding vows by the couple, presentation of a gift (offering, ring(s), symbolic item, flowers, money), and a public proclamation of marriage by an authority figure or leader. Special wedding garments are often worn, and the ceremony is sometimes followed by a wedding reception. Music, poetry, prayers or readings from religious texts or literature are also commonly incorporated into the ceremony.

Every custom has it’s own history. For example the custom to put on bridal veil is the most ancient. Roman brides wore the bridal veil two thousands years ago. It was the symbol of modesty and mystery. And only husband could take it off after the wedding ceremony.

The tradition to take on new white dress on wedding is relatively new – one hundred and fifty years. White colours symbolizes youth and innocence. A new dress is a symbol of entry into a new life. In the past not many women could let such luxury.

The tradition of exchange the wedding rings supposedly invented in Egypt. The round shape of the ring is a symbol of eternity, endless hapiness and love between mates.

It is very important to organize well all the stages of wedding – registration in registry office, wedding ceremony and banquet because wedding is the most memorable event.