Advice to Parents on How to Deal with Teenage Children

___ Be a good role model. Show them how to behave well by behaving well yourself.

___ Let them make their own decisions about fashion when they are ready. Monitor their behavior.

___ Give them freedom to experiment and have fun, as long as their behavior is safe and legal.

___ Set clear limits. Be clear about what they can and cannot do.

___ Listen to the way you talk to them. Try to avoid the annoying language that your own parents used with you.

C. Another main idea that Henry talks about is the importance of peer groups. Read the two statements below and then discuss the questions that follow with a partner.

• As you get older, your friends become less important to you and your family becomes more important.

• As you get older, your family becomes less important to you and your friends become more important.

  1. Which statement expresses Henry's point of view?

  2. Which statement do you agree with more? Why?

Task 4. Interview with Victor and Samira: The influence of peers

A. Here are some words and phrases from the interview with Victor and Samira printed in bold and given in the context in which you will hear them. They are followed by definitions.

D o you ever change your mind: change your opinion

She said it's a waste of money: not worth the money

I am just jealous: unhappy and slightly angry because you want what someone else has

loads of people: a lot of

the people you hang out with: spend time with

You can't conform all the time: do what everyone else is doing

You're in the same boat: in the same situation

B. Read the following questions before you listen to the interview with Victor and Samira.

1. H ow old is Victor?

2. Does Victor think he is influenced by his friends? Explain your answer.

3. What does Victor want to get and why?

4. How does Victor's mom feel about what he wants?

5. What is Victor going to do about the situation?

6. What grade is Samira in?

7. Does Samira agree that her peers influence her a lot? Explain your answer.

8. Who influences Samira more - her friends or her parents? Why?

C. Now listen to the interview. Write short answers for the questions in B. Compare your answers with a partner and then with the class.

Task 5. Discuss the following questions with a partner and then share your ideas with the class.

When you were an adolescent . . .

1. Did your family try to influence the clothes you wore?

2. Did you ever have friends that your family did not like?

3. What time did you have to be back home in the evening?

4. Were you allowed to date?

5. Did you spend a lot of time alone?

6. Did your family have strict rules about what you couldn't do?

3.4. Revision

Task 1. Recall the ideas from the unit and complete the chart. You can use your own ideas as well.