Text 3. The Problems of Teenagers (Young People)

Vocabulary

to experience — испытывать

assignment — задание

fun — веселье

entertainment — развлечение

eternal — вечный

to compare — сравнивать

The good old days — старые добрые времена

responsibility — ответственность

to solve —решать

to treat like adults — общаться как со взрослыми

dictator — диктатор

to grumble — ворчать

fashion — мода

to criticize — критиковать

to accept — принимать

behaviour — поведение

appearance — внешность

zit — прыщ

to gain weight — набрать вес (поправиться)

to keep promises — держать обещания

to do one's best — сделать все возможное

to date — назначать свидание

expensive — дорого

unfortunately — к сожалению

violence — насилие

AIDS — СПИД

drugs — наркотики

addiction — привыкание

dependent — зависимый

mutual language — общий язык

Teenagers are young people of between thirteen and nineteen years old. They say, it's the most beau­tiful period of life as young people usually experi ence their first great love and they have many friends. They don't have to work and take care of their families. And they are sure they will have a long and happy life. But at the same time it is the most difficult period, as teenagers have many prob­lems at school and at home.

The first problem is school. The last year at school is especially very difficult. Young people learn a lot not only at school, but they also attend different kinds of courses, which will help them to enter colleges and universities. They spend much time to prepare their school homework and to do different assignments for the courses. They don't have much time for fun and entertainment, as usually every teacher considers his subject as the most important one.

Another problem is a generation gap. It is misun­derstanding and difference in views, feelings and interests between younger and older people. It is the eternal problem. Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present. They always talk about "The good old days". The young, on the other hand usually think that their times are the best. Young people look at the world with fresh eyes. Everything is new, interesting for them, they have no responsibilities and sometimes they can't solve their everyday problems. But they want to be treated like adults. And adults do not want to accept this point of view and act sometimes like dictators, choosing clothes, books, even friends for their chil­dren. Adults grumble about what teenagers do and what they wear. But they have their own fashion, which parents and teachers very often criticize.

Teenagers always try very hard to be accepted by their friends. They want to be "one of them". That's why they follow their special teenager's style in clothes, speech, behaviour. They pay much attention to their appearance. Zits, bad hair, gaining weight — all these things are very serious problems for teenagers.

At these ages young people wanted to be liked and to have friends. Those who make fun of others or laugh if someone makes a mistake can't be the best friend. But those who share things with friends and give them help when in need make others like them, And it's good for a teenager to know that his friend always keeps promises and tries to do his best if it's necessary for him.

Another thing about teenagers is their first love. There is no right age to begin dating. Dating may begin as young as 13-14 years old, but becomes com­mon around 16-18. Teenagers generally date people of they own age, though girls sometimes date boys two or three years older than they are. They may go out with one person one week and someone else the next one. Young people may date several friends at the same time. They go to parties, cinema, dances together. And they are very proud of having a girl or a boyfriend. Dating is not very expensive, but still they should have some money to go to the cinema, disco, to have a cup of coffee, etc. Some teenagers ask their parents for money, others try to earn themselves, doing dif­ferent kinds of work two or three times a week.

Love is such a wonderful feeling, especially the first love. It can make you the happiest person in the world. But sometimes it can bring you real suffer­ings. Teenagers can get upset or depressed very much. That's why it's so important to help teenagers and not to leave them alone in such a situation.

Unfortunately, nowadays we have very serious problems for the young people such as violence, AIDS, drugs and alcohol. 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.

No doubts, that the teenager's problems will increase. And it is necessary for adults to find a mutual language with young people and help them in such a beautiful and not so simple life.