Что значит быть молодым

«Исследовательская работа»

What does it mean to be young?

Марковская Алина Евгеньевна 10 в класс

Научный руководитель: Абанина Татьяна Аркадьевна

г.Задонск

Contents

1. Introduction

2. A teenage and the world around him

   1) Subculture. Teenagers' groups

   2) Young people's free time

   3) Teens' problems

   a)parents

   b)friends

   c)school

   d)love

   e)violence

   f)bad habits

3. Possible solutions of teenagers' problems

4. The results of the quiz with diagrams

5. List of literature

Тема проекта: «Что значит быть молодым?»

Цель данной работы — выявить основные проблемы, с которыми сталкиваются подростки в современном обществе и определить возможные пути их решения.

Актуальность выбранной темы заключается в том, что в эпоху быстро меняющихся приоритетов социально-экономического развития страны и стремительного научно-технического прогресса проблема противостояния двух поколений остается значимой и сегодня.

Задачи исследования:

1. Изучить литературу на английском языке по предложенной проблеме.

2. Систематизировать полученные факты и информацию.

3. Провести анкетирование с учащимися школы по теме «Мои предпочтения», проанализировать полученные результаты и представить их в диаграммах.

4. Найти в Интернете фотографии для иллюстрации представленного материала по проблемам молодежи.

5. Сделать выводы по проблеме «Что значит быть молодым?», представив возможные пути решения существующих проблем подростков.

The topic of my project work is “What does it mean to be young?”

The aim of my work is to reveal the most important problems young people face today and determine its possible solutions.

The actuality of the chosen theme is explained by the growing generation gap between children and parents in the modern society.

The tasks of my project:

1. Study English books, magazines on the chosen theme.

2. Systematize taken facts and materials.

3. Quiz some students of the secondary school №1 on the topic “My preferences”, analyze the results using the diagrams.

4. Look for photos and pictures to illustrate the project work.

5. To sum up, pointing out existing youth problems and try to offer its possible solutions.

TEEN CREED.

Don't let your parents down,

They brought you up.

Be humble enough to obey,

You may give others someday.

Choose companions with care,

You become what they are.

Guard your thoughts,

What you think,you are.

Choose only a date,

Who would make a good mate

Be master of your habits,

Or they will master you.

Don't be a show off when you drive,

Drive with safety and arrive.

Don't let the crowd pressure you,

Stand for something or you'll fall for everything.

I. Introduction

Youth is a very important period in the life of a man. This is the time when a person discovers the world and tries to determine the place in the universe. I think that the teenage years are the most wonderful years in our life. At this age we start a new life. We get more and more freedom. We can go to parties, discos, cafes, etc. Teenagers live in their own world. The adult world is strange and exciting to them. Teens have daydreams of success, adventure, romance and fame. They idolize pop singers or film stars. Teenagers go through a physical and emotional development, which can be frightening. Their characters also begin to develop. It seems that teens have no problems, as they do not work, take care of their families or have any other responsibilities. But it is not true. They have many problems in fact, because the teens take more risks. A turning point is an event, which changes your life and attitude. There are several such turning points in the life of an average person that are worthy of mention.

II. A teenager and the world around him

Every generation is unique. It differs from the one that preceded it in its experience, ideals and a system of values. The adults always say that the young are not what they were. These words are repeated from generation to generation. To some extent they are true, because every new generation grows up quicker, enjoys more freedom. It is better educated and benefits from the results of the technological progress of the time. Young people of today do not directly accept the standards of their parents who believe that they are right because they are older. The adults don't want their values to be questioned. The young on the other hand can not accept the values of their “fathers”. All these differences generate a generation gap when the young and adult do not understand one another. As a rule the adults teach the young how to live. Unfortunately, the adults apply old standards to the new way of life. They can not leave behind their “good old days”. This burden is very heavy. They think that the world is going down hill. They gloomily look ahead unable to understand the optimism of their children who want to pave their own way in life. The majority of the young people they don't want live in the past. They have their own ideals. They want to make their own mistakes rather than to listen to the warnings of the adults and repeat the mistakes of the older generation. They want to overcome their difficulties without looking back.

1) Subculture. Teenagers' groups

Children shock their parents with their dress, language, behavior. Their subculture is specific for every generation is a form of protest of the young people against the values of the adults. Thus, informal groups such as Hippies, Rockers, Bikers, Skinheads, Punks, Goths appeared as a kind of protest of the young people against the values and lifestyles of the older people. Punks are opposed to the values, norms and materialism in the society. They express this in loud and violent music, lyrics which frequently contain oppositional themes (anti-romantic love songs,anti-parents, anti-police,etc.), strange clothes and hair of unusual colours. As punk faded, they became a subculture in their own right. Goths have white make-up, black or purple hair, black lipstick and fingernails, these people certainly stand out in the crowd. They see the world as a dark place and like it that way. Hippies do not conform in the society's standards, showing this by dressing in unusual clothes, having long hair and living in groups together. For them loving means accepting others as they are, giving freedom to do as one pleases and to go where the flow takes you. Another teenage groups is straight edge. They are a growing group of young people who are unhappy with the society in which they are growing up. They don't want to follow the usual routes of teenage rebellion. Instead they have chosen a clean, healthy approach to life to better themselves and the world in which they live.

2) Young people's free time

It is not easy to say exactly what teenagers do in their leisure time. I think that, in the main our interests and tastes do not differ very much. They are engaged in sports activities. They listen to their favorite music bands or take part in different concerns. Also, they go to parks, museums, theaters, hang out with their friends. Teenager discover the world and themselves. In the main, all young people are individualistic. Youth is the time when young people work out their outlook. At the same time they need collective experience to share their dreams and interests. Communication has always been an important part of young people's life. Today they can choose between traditional and new ways of communication. Traditionally the young meet after classes with their school friends, make parties, go to the movies or discos to have fun and relax. Also they can find friends without leaving their homes – the Internet gives such an opportunity. They can sit for several hours looking at the monitors. Lots of people now use the Internet to find someone to date. There are dating websites, such as “Matching Machine” and “Love 4 Life”. They have hundreds of photographs and biographies of people who are looking for love. And computer became a great problem of the present and future. Also, the most important thing for many young people is to look cool. That's why they spend money on brands like DKNY, Levi's, Nike and Sony. These companies know that young people have a lot of money to spend. So they spend a lot of money on advertising to attract young people. Young people also find out what's cool from the Internet. Many have also discovered how easy it is to shop on the Internet. Clothes, CDs, books and computers are at the top of their Internet shopping lists. At the weekends the young people go to nightclubs. Nightclubs have been popular since the seventies but today's clubs are different. They don't usually open until at least 11 p.m., and people often stay until 7 or 8 o'clock the next morning. Some clubbers will keep on dancing until 12 o'clock in the afternoon. These clubs are for dedicated dancers only!

3) Teens' problems

Nowadays more and more social problems are associated with being young. Today it is considered appropriate to talk about teenage problems. A few days ago alcohol, drugs, murders 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. These things are often combined with family and school problems. While discussing the article, you've heard a lot of different opinions, but nobody admitted he or she was guilty of the crime. Perhaps, we should all share responsibility. I am afraid adults are not tolerant of immigrants, and their children inherit racial hatred. We are worried about a series of attacks against immigrants, including foreign students, in St. Petersburg, Voronezh and other cities of Russia. And I am sorry to say that our quiet small town joined the list. Lack of tolerance is a great problem nowadays.

a) parents

The problems with parents are the majority. The parents' role in the family is great. Children have a close relation with parents. The moral code of children is to be very similar to parents. Their priorities are probably quite similar. Children are disciplined. Discipline is good in certain amount but it can be a bad thing to get too much of it. Sometimes children are punished by the parents if they don't do what they are told. Parents don't understand some problems and things which are very important in teens life; for example, the lifestyle of young people, piercing, tattoos, relationship with their friends and teachers and love. So, sometimes tees can't tell them about their private life. Adults don't want to understand modern views, ideals and system of values. Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with the present and regard old times as better, always talking about «old good days». The young people on the other hand, tend to think their times as the best. Young people don't accept the standards of their parents who believe that they are right because they are older. As a rule the adults teach the young how to live. Teenagers have their own ideals. They want to overcome their difficulties without looking back. Teenagers shock their parents with their dress, language, behavior, and lifestyles. Sometimes the young people share information and experience with their parents. I think that it's not bad, especially when the adults really try to understand what is going on in the lives of their children. Statistics: 47% of teens have problems with parents; 53% don't argue with their parents.

List of problems that teenagers may have with their parents:

1. Parents make their children do chores.

2. Parents nag their children.

3. Parents don't give their children any pocket money.

4. Parents control their children.

5. Parents let their children down.

6. Parents don't understand their children.

7. Parents don't respect their children.

8. Parents don't trust their children.

9. Parents check that their children have done their homework.

10. Parents don't let their children decide who they should be.

11. Parents hate their children's girlfriends/boyfriends.

12. Parents don't like their children's friends.

13. Parents always want to know what's going on in their children's life.

14. Parents don't like their children's music.

15. Parents don't pay attention to their children.

16. Parents punish their children for everything.

b) friends

Friendship is very important for young people. There are many factors, which are important in a friendship. One of them is keeping up communication: how often you can see your friend, whether you are ready to help your friend. I think some kind of shared interest or a similar sense of human is important. Also, there are some shared points of reference, so teens always have something to talk about. I believe that real friends will never betray each other. They will always understand and help each other. I think that the person can and should have a lot of friends. He/she can be on good terms with the classmates. But at the same time there can be only two or three real good friends. I believe that the real friends never betray each other.

c) school

The other very important problem is teenager's school life. Teens are often under pressure in many ways at school. They are supposed to be «macho» - good at school subject, able to stand up for themselves without crying. If they can't, they are «wimps». Children will tease and bully them, especially at school. Teens are not just «machos» and «wimps», they are rebels and conformists, extroverts and introverts. Teachers and parents should assure us that all these types are good, and it will reduce a lot of our problems.

d) love

Another difficulty is love. Today teenagers fall in love when they reach the age of Romeo and Juliet. They believe that their love will last forever. Unfortunately often their hearts are broken. Young people are not always to have stable relations.

e)violence

Violence in schools has been an increasing problem . Occasions when have shot and killed their classmates no longer sound unfamiliar. Guns have no place in the hands of children. Children should not have to fear going to school, and should not have to fear their classmates. Also there is the case when teenage gang beats shopkeeper to death. An Indian immigrant who spent 20 years working to open the shop of his dreams has died after being beaten up by a gang of teenagers who helped themselves to a $4.99 football.

The gang jeered at Kombra Divakaran, 43, when he chased them on to the pavement outside his new shop in Bayswater, west London. They then kicked and beat him.

Surgeons at the National Neurological Hospital tried desperately to save his life, but his injuries proved too severe.

His attackers are said to include a stocky girl, aged 14 or 15, with long brown hair who was “loud and aggressive”. Police are also anxious to interview a boy about 6ft 1in tall, with short hair. The gang included at least two others.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Petra said:”it is absolutely mindless that this gentleman appears to have died because of a cheap plastic football.

He revealed that a fortnight ago Mr. Divakaran was racially abused by youths who came into his shop, and the killing may have been racially motivated. “But at this stage we still believe he was probably attacked because he was brave enough to intervene when this people tried to steal his property”.

Mr. Divakaran, who emigrated from New Delhi, gradually developed his shopkeeping acumen until he was able to open the City Bargain Book Store in Queensway, selling books and football gear.

A father on three, Mr. Divakaran was renowned as a man of gentle character. Sarina Sapatereiro, 20, a travel consultant at the nearby branch of ThomasCook said:”He was the nicest person. It always brought a smile to his face when you walked into the shop.”

The area often turned ugly at night, according to George Chaidoulis, manager of an optician's. He added:”Shoplifting is common around here. Many young people come here in groups late in the evening. I was waiting for something like this to happen”.

At the time of the attack on Sunday, Mr. Divakaran had been working late on his own, said Mr. Sidhu. “ There is always trouble with kids hanging around. The whole community is devastated. We have worked so hard and then they come along and do this.” Mr. Sidhu said that passers-by did not intervene to stop the attack. “Shame on the people who walked past and did not help him,” he said.

If someone had gone to his rescue then this would not have happened. People complain about the ills in society but they make the ills themselves.

Mr. Divakaran was well known for going out of his way to help people in any way that he could. It should not have happened to a guy like that.

f) bad habits

Drugs, underage drinking and smoking are prevalent among teenagers. Drug addiction is another problem of the twenty-first century. Teenagers try once or twice a cigarette with a narcotic inside, then they change to injection and day-by-day they become totally dependent on this deadly habit. The young people look for some supernatural experience; they hope to find a sense of life and pleasure and happiness in taking drugs, and they don't even notice how quickly they fall into addiction. Smoking is one of the most common addictions that for years have been socially acceptable. There are passive and active smokers. People who do not smoke but are forced to be in the company of smokers are passive smokers and they are even in a worse situation. The smoke from other people's cigarettes influences their health more negatively than that of active smokers. But some teens think that they look more mature when holding a cigarette. So, we should have our own opinion in such situation and not to be smoke and drug addicts. Statistics: 33,3% didn't try to smoke; 19,7% gave up smoking; 19,7 smoke.

III. Possible solutions of teenagers ' problems

What is the solution of all these problems? Problem is the result of the activity of human mind. When people start to cope with different problems they become stronger and more experienced. I doubt that a generation gap can ever be bridged. But I think that some concessions on both sides are possible. The young should not be too impatient when older people teach them what to do, what to wear or how to think. Tolerance is the only way to bridge the gap of the generations. Sometimes the best tactics is not to contradict the parents while doing what I think is important. It is not always necessary that parents should know that I disagree with them.

Being young means dates, love, new discoveries, choosing career, taking a lot of exams, thinking about many problems and ways to overcome them; you have to make very important decisions which will influence all your future life. According to some teenagers' opinions being a teenager means – 50% great; 13,3% romantic; 20% not so easy; 16,7% dangerous.

“If you want to be somebody, somebody really special, be yourself!”

IV. The results of the quiz with diagrams

Quiz “A Teenager and the world around him”

1. What irritates teenagers in their relations with parents?

a) absence of freedom

b) having too much control

c) criticizing

d) interfering into teens affairs

e) asking stupid questions

2. What do teenagers enjoy most?

a)hanging out with friends

b)listening to music

c)sport

d)dancing

e)eating tasty things

3. What do teenagers hate?

a)doing homework

b) getting up early

c) household chores

d) feeling tired

e) going to school on Saturday

4. What does school mean for teens?

a) a place to get a good education

b) they meet their friends there

c) school opens the door to the future

d) its our second home

e) it shapes their life

5. What places of interest do teens usually visit?

a) discos

b) parks

c) museums

d) theatres

e) churches

6. What kinds of sport are popular among teenagers?

a) football

b) athletics

c) swimming

d) basketball

e)tennis

7. What music do teens prefer?

a) pop music

b) rock music

c) jazz

d) classical music

e) folk music

8. How do young people get information?

a) they watch TV

b) they read newspapers and magazines

c) they read advertisements in the street

d) they ask their relatives and friends

e) they listen to the radio

9. What professions are popular among teenagers?

a) a manager

b) a lawyer

c) an accountant

d) a doctor

e) a shop assistant

1: What irritates teenagers in their relations with parents?

2: What do teenagers enjoy most?

3: What do teenagers hate?

4: What does school mean for teens?

5: What places of interest do teens usually visit?

6: What kinds of sport are popular among teenagers?

7: What music do teens prefer?

8: How do young people get information?

9: What professions are popular among teenagers?

List of literature

1. Гроза О.Л. New Millennium English. - Обнинск: Титул 2003.

2. Кауфман К.И., Кауфман М.Ю. Happy English.ru. - Обнинск: Титул 2008.

3. Flaherty Gillian. Popculture. - Обнинск: Титул, 2003.

4. Кисунько Е.И., Музланова Е.С. English topics. - Москва: ООО «Издательство Астрель», 2006.

5. Симоненко Н.В., Сафонова Л.Л. Is it easy to be young? // Иностранные языки в школе. 2009. 1. 22-28

6. Гусева Т.В. Английский язык. - Волгоград: Учитель, 2000.

7. Teen Creed // Методическая мозайка.2003. 1. 33

8. Дзюина Е.В. Игровые уроки и внеклассные мероприятия на английском языке. - Москва: Вако, 2007.

9. Миньяр-Белоручева А.П. English. - Москва: ООО «Экзамен», 2002.