Relationship between parents and children

Everyone says that youth is probably the best time of our life. Being young means love, friendship and romance, new discoveries and so on. But we must know that for teenagers it is the most difficult time. That`s why parents must help their children solve youth problems. It can really help construct good relationship between parents and children.

But in our modern life there is often a lack of communication between parents and their children. Lack of the love and attention to children can make them unhappy.

As for me, I get on very well with my parents. Whenever I have problems with my friends or with my schoolwork, I know they are always there to listen and give advice. They have taught me a lot. They have got a lot of experience and they have always happy to share their knowledge with me. But sometimes my Mum and Dad seem to think I`m still a kid. When I go out with friends, I always have to be back home by ten o`clock and they call me on my mobile to check where I am. I have to ask permission for almost everything I do. It doesn`t seem fair sometimes but I anyway love my parents very much and I think they are the kindest in the whole world.

In conclusion, the ability to solve or avoid family problems depends on children and parents. If the relationship between parents and children is based on love, mutual respect, and kindness, the family will be happy.

3. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

Being young means, solve youth problems, a lack of communication, attention to children, get on with smb, advice, to have got a lot of experience, to share knowledge, avoid problems.

4. Give English equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

молодежь, дружба, подросток, взаимоотношения между родителями и детьми, современная жизнь, разрешение, умение, зависеть, взаимоуважение, доброта.

5. Agree or disagree:

1. Youth is probably the best time of our life.

2. For teenagers it is the most difficult time.

3. Parents mustn’t help their children solve youth problems.

4. There is often a lack of communication between parents and their children.

5. Teenagers don’t get on well with their parents.

6. Parents must check their children all time.

7. The ability to solve or avoid family problems depends on children and parents.

Read and translate the text.

Generation gap

The so-called "generation gap” means the difference in attitudes between old and young people. Such problem has always existed.

Generation gap mostly appears because of the teenagers. They often behave rude against their parents. The young wear provocative clothes which shock the adults, causing their sharp negative reaction. Young people are fond of listening to music that is disliked by parents. Naturally, each generation has got its lifestyle. For example, people who had teenage children in the sixties could never understand such phenomenon as Beatles. They had known nothing about rock music before and so they thought of it just as a noise. So facing something new parents do not approve the behaviour and look of their children and criticize them, telling that "in my youth children were more polite and quiet”. Sometimes teens even rebel against it.

In my opinion this conflict is inevitable. On the one hand, it is natural because life is rapidly changing. Every year something new emerges, from fashion styles to pop-stars and of course young people accept it very quickly. On the other hand, adults do not need to worry about their kids too much. Until the "generation gap” gets too big to handle, there is nothing bad in it. But both adults and children should remember about general culture. If people are well brought up and educated their culture will help them to prevent the conflicts making teenagers less defiant and adults more lenient.

To sum up, I think that the "generation gap” problem will forever be actual, but if the generations respect each other, it will not be so serious.

7. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and word combinations:

generation gap, attitudes between old and young people, teenager, to behave rude against their parents, to wear provocative clothes, negative reaction, lifestyle, could never understand, behaviour, rebel, conflict is inevitable, new emerge, fashion styles to pop-star, to be well brought up and educated, respect.

На дом: give your own opinion about “generation gap”. Use the words and word combinations of exercise 3 in the sentences of your own.