Сочинение на тему generation gap

19 вариантов

1. 
   Generation Gap (2)
   There is no doubt
   that the problem of parents and children is one of the most
   pressing issues in the modern world. Some people think that it
   is impossible to overcome differences between members of
   different generations, while others insist that people of
   different generations can meet each other halfway and even
   become bosom friends.
   It is not
   uncommon that some parents often disapprove of their children’s
   musical preferences, clothing styles, political views and choice
   of friends. In my opinion, misunderstandings between parents and
   children cause many problems and may lead to serious conflicts.
   One simple solution that can be put forward is frank and open
   deep conversation. Hence, parents should understand that every
   child is an individual and that to err is human. Besides, some
   parents put much pressure on their children to perform well at
   school. In my view, parents should make children aware of the
   importance of study in their life, but they should not punish
   them for bad grades. I am convinced that the main task of every
   parent is to teach children the difference between right and
   wrong and to establish trust relationship with them. So, parents
   must express deep concern, be careful, sincere, loving and
   heedful of advice. They must also go with the times in order to
   understand their adolescents better and not be too exacting and
   adamant.
   It should be also
   noted that nowadays the factors of generation differences are
   disappearing. Lots of parents listen to the same music, wear the
   same clothes and spend as much time on social networking as
   their children do.
   On the other hand, there are people who insist that the problem
   of generation gap cannot be solved. According to their opinion,
   teenagers today are rude, cruel, lazy and ill-mannered. Most of
   them are addicted to gambling, computer, alcohol or drugs.
   Moreover, experts say that the cases of juvenile delinquency
   have been on the rise over the past years. In my judgment, one
   of the reasons for this problem is lack of moral values or
   attention. Moreover, the contributing factors of juvenile
   delinquency include poverty, parental divorce, domestic violence
   and corporal punishment. However, it becomes evident that all of
   them refer to the family conflicts. In my judgment it is
   precisely the family environment that constitutes a root
   problem. Experts say that most delinquents come from problem
   families. Their parents are often violent, cruel or abuse
   alcohol and drugs. In turn, their children show rebellious
   behavior and stop obeying them.
   All in all, I
   think that all parents should better try to protect their
   adolescents from bad influences and give a helping hand rather
   than lecture them or decrease their self-esteem. I still
   strongly believe that people can bridge the generation gap by
   means of communication and mutual understanding.
   Конфликт поколений (2)
   Вне всяких сомнений, проблема отцов
   и детей является одной из самых острых в современном мире.
   Некоторые люди считают, что преодолеть конфликт поколений
   невозможно, в то время как другие убеждены в том, что люди
   разных поколений могут договориться и даже стать закадычными
   друзьями.
   Давно не редкость, что некоторые родители часто не одобряют
   музыкальные предпочтения своих детей, их стиль одежды,
   политические взгляды и выбор друзей. Я считаю, что любые
   недопонимания между родителями и детьми могут привести к
   серьезным проблемам и конфликтам. Простым решением данной
   проблемы может стать открытая, доверительная беседа.
   Следовательно, родителям необходимо учитывать, что каждый
   ребенок — это индивидуальная личность, а также то, что человеку
   свойственно ошибаться. Кроме того, некоторые родители оказывают
   слишком большое давление на своих детей в вопросах успеваемости
   в школе. С моей точки зрения, родители должны рассказать своим
   детям о важности обучения в жизни, но они не должны наказывать
   их за плохие оценки. Я убеждена, что основная задача каждого
   родителя — объяснить своим детям, что такое «хорошо», а что
   «плохо», а также установить с ними доверительные отношения.
   Родители, прежде всего, должны беспокоиться о своих детях,
   заботиться о них, быть искренними, любящими и щедрыми на совет.
   Кроме того, они должны идти в ногу со временем, чтобы лучше
   понимать своих взрослеющих детей, и не быть слишком
   требовательными и категоричными.
   Следует также отметить, что сегодня факторы, определяющие
   разницу поколений, постепенно исчезают. Многие родители слушают
   такую же музыку, как и их дети, носят современную одежду и
   проводят ровно столько же времени в социальных сетях, как и
   подрастающее поколение.
   С другой стороны, есть те, кто считает, что проблему поколений
   невозможно решить. Согласно их мнению, современные подростки
   грубы, жестоки, ленивы и плохо воспитаны. Многие из них зависимы
   от игр, компьютера, алкоголя или наркотиков. Более того, по
   утверждению экспертов, в последние годы проблема ювенальной
   преступности становится все более и более острой. Я считаю, что
   одной из возможных причин данной проблемы является отсутствие у
   подростков моральных ценностей и внимания. Другими
   сопутствующими факторами являются нищета, развод родителей,
   домашнее насилие и телесное наказание. Однако становится
   очевидным, что именно обстановка в семье и есть корень проблемы.
   По утверждению экспертов, многие малолетние преступники —
   выходцы из проблемных семей. Их родители в большинстве случаев
   слишком агрессивны, жестоки или злоупотребляют наркотиками и
   алкоголем. В свою очередь дети перестают их слушаться и
   проявляют бунтарский характер. Так или иначе, я считаю, что
   родители должны защищать своих детей от плохого влияния и
   протягивать руку помощи, а не отчитывать их и понижать
   самооценку. Я верю, что можно преодолеть конфликт поколений и
   достичь взаимопонимания, если идти на открытый диалог со своими
   родителями.
   Vocabulary:
   1) generation gap
   — конфликт поколений, проблема отцов и детей
   2) to meet halfway — найти компромисс
   3) bosom friends — близкие друзья
   4) to go with the times — идти в ногу со временем
   5) adolescent — подросток
   6) to disapprove of [.disa’pruiv] — не одобрять
   7) preference [fpref(a)r(3)n(t)s] — предпочтение
   8) political views — политические взгляды
   9) to disappear — исчезать
   10) to cause problems — становиться причиной проблем
   11) to err is human — человеку свойственно ошибаться
   12) to put pressure on somebody — оказывать давление на
   кого-либо
   13) to perform well at school — хорошо учиться
   14) academic performance — успеваемость
   15) aware [a’wea] — знающий, осведомленный
   16) to punish — наказывать
   17) bad grades — плохие оценки
   18) to establish trust relationship with somebody — установить
   доверительные отношения с кем-либо
   19) generation differences — различия между поколениями
   20) social networking — социальные сети
   21) adolescent [, aed(9)’les(9)nt] — юношеский, подростковый,
   молодой
   22) to cope with — справиться
   23) to reach mutual understanding — достичь взаимопонимания
   24) heedful of advice — щедрый на советы
   25) exacting — требовательный
   26) adamant [‘aedamsnt] — непреклонный, категоричный
   26) ill-mannered — невоспитанный, невежливый
   27) gambling — азартная игра
   28) to addict — пристраститься к чему-либо, быть заядлым
   лю¬бителем чего-либо
   29) juvenile delinquency [fci3u:vinail diflinkw3n(t)si] —
   преступ¬ность малолетних
   30) to give a helping hand — протянуть руку помощи
   31) to lecture somebody — читать лекции кому-либо
   32) self-esteem — самоуважение, чувство собственного
   досто¬инства
   33) to bridge the generation gap — преодолевать разрыв между
   поколениями
   34) poverty [‘povsti] — нищета, бедность
   35) domestic violence — домашнее насилие
   36) corporal punishment — телесное наказание, порка
   37) root problem — ключевая проблема
   38) adverse family environment — неблагоприятная обстановка в
   семье
   39) delinquent [di’hnkwsnt] — малолетний преступник
   40) rebellious [n’belias] — бунтарский, непослушный
   41) to obey — слушаться, повиноваться
   42) parental divorce — развод родителей

2. One of the important problems of all times is a generation gap. Adult’s mentality is different from teenager’s. We are the children of two epochs with different views on various subjects. Because of this parents and children sometimes argue with each other.
   Some people believe that teenagers today are generally rude, lazy and ill-behaved. Other people, however, think that teenagers are not so bad. Sometimes people don’t understand teenagers. They don’t understand some problems and things which are very important in teenagers’ life, for example the lifestyles, piercing, tattoos, relationship with friends and teachers.
   Some people don’t want to understand modern views, ideals and our system of values. They say that teenagers are cruel, brutal, heartless and rude. Yes, today new generation “plays” with smoking, drugs and alcohol, but this doesn’t mean that all teens are really bad!
   On the other hand, today many elderly people look at the world with new eyes. Moreover, they try to understand teenagers’ problems and solve them.
   Most of the quarrels between parents and children happen because of children’s marks at school and generation gap. We try to learn better, but if we have a bad mark our parents can shout at us.
   In most cases “new generation” doesn’t understand their parents and becomes depressed because of this. To protest against it, teens can shock people around them. That’s why it is considered that teens today are lazy and ill-behaved. Elderly people usually compare their childhood and youth with present, they are always talking about “the good old days”. People are said to become wiser with age. Sometimes it is true and sometimes it is not. I think that you can meet a wise man among the old as often as among the young. It is wrong that when wisdom always comes in old age. Sometimes when we talk to adults, they listen only to threir own point of view. That’s why some teens don’t like to talk to adults. To sum it up, nowadays everyone has a different view on teen’s life. But, in fact, we should simply learn to understand each other.

3. 
   Generation Gap
   Do you know what
   a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular
   definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own
   experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe
   serious differences between people of two generations.
   To realize how to
   deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap
   includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible
   about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of
   their children, about relations between brothers and sisters,
   and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both
   sides — father’s and mother’s.
   Children demand a
   great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not
   ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry
   There are many families where both parents keep working after
   giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a
   single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have
   enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such
   cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with
   his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance
   from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which
   commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug
   addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late
   to change anything.
   On the other
   hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat
   their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at
   all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their
   peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will
   grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem —
   lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the
   fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up
   in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
   Some children
   rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a
   loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes,
   dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies
   pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and
   establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but
   they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities.
   It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a
   criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in
   his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and
   support.
   But how to handle
   such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First
   of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak
   with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child
   activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth
   involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to
   show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children
   in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in
   public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and
   sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to
   require the same from him.
   Too authoritarian
   parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents
   who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may
   lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who
   are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is
   necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family
   and losing control over their children who may become spoiled
   and capricious.
   It demands to
   make a great effort from both parents and children to reach
   mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the
   question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but
   every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his
   child and set him on the right path.
   Конфликт поколений
   Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема
   отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы,
   скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного
   опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это
   популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных
   разногласий между двумя поколениями.
   Для того чтобы понять, как
   справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов
   и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать
   как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении
   своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об
   отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и
   матери.
   Дети требуют огромного внимания,
   много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять
   ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить
   его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают
   работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с
   другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких
   случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы
   проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его
   воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в
   одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского
   присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети
   совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся
   алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям
   становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того
   чтобы что-либо изменить.
   Но существуют и такие отношения в
   семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его
   всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди
   ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что
   ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь,
   порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти
   всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь
   может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа
   в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
   Некоторые дети восстают против
   дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую
   музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят
   волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему
   телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать
   свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные
   личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как
   со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя
   всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не
   значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком.
   Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный
   возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
   Но как же справиться с таким
   поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями
   ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы.
   Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать
   ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт.
   Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных
   вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным
   членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в
   подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать
   публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и
   искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто
   несправедливо требовать того же от него.
   Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем
   капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как
   невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые
   родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие
   родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко
   может стать избалованным и капризным.
   Достижение полного взаимопонимания в
   семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так
   и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как
   нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но
   каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для
   ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.
   Questions:
   1. Give your
   explanation of the notion “generation gap”.
   2. How do you think, which is the tensest period in the
   relationships between parents and their children?
   3. What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
   4. Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour during the
   last years?
   5. How would you characterize your relations with your parents?
   6. Do you like to spend time with your family?
   7. What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and peaceful
   relationship between parents and children?
   8. Are you a spoiled child?
   9. Do you approve of the way your parents brought you up?
   10.
   What would you like to change in the way your parents brought
   you up?
   Vocabulary:
   generation gap — конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей
   definition — определение
   to be aware of — знать что-либо, быть осведомлённым о чём-либо
   difference — разногласие, различие
   to deal with — иметь дело с
   to keep in mind — понимать, уяснять
   include — включать
   several — несколько
   world outlook — мировоззрение
   patience — терпение
   to devote — посвящать
   attitude — отношение
   close relative — близкий родственник
   to give birth to a baby — родить ребёнка
   to neglect — пренебрегать, забрасывать, игнорировать
   upbringing — воспитание
   guidance — наставление, руководство
   to involve — вовлекать
   to commit violence — совершать насилие
   to commit crime — совершать преступление
   alcohol addicted — зависимый от алкоголя
   drug addicted — наркотически зависимый
   strict — строгий
   freedom — свобода
   pariah — изгой
   peer — сверстник
   ban — запрет, запрещение
   to increase — возрастать
   insolent — дерзкий
   defiant — непокорный
   lying — лживость
   to force — заставлять
   to punish — наказывать
   to put on a make-up — делать макияж
   to rebel against discipline — восставать против дисциплины
   family values — семейные ценности
   inappropriate — неподходящий
   to dye one’s hair — красить волосы
   inconceivable — немыслимый
   independence — независимость
   to establish one’s identity — состояться как личность
   to treat — обращаться, обходиться, вести себя
   responsibility — ответственность
   transitional age — переходный возраст
   to handle a behaviour — справиться с поведением
   full member — полноправный член
   moreover — более того
   to be in one’s teens — быть подростком
   vulnerable — уязвимый, ранимый
   to avoid — избегать
   unfair — несправедливый
   authoritarian — властный
   to overindulge — чрезмерно потакать
   negligence — пренебрежение
   to spoil a child — избаловать ребёнка
   capricious — капризный
   effort — усилие
   mutual understanding — взаимопонимание
   to disobey — не слушаться
   to set smb. on the right path — направить кого-либо на верный
   путь

4. Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
   To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
   Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
   On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
   Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
   But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
   Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
   It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.

   Конфликт поколений

   Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
   Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
   Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
   Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
   Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
   Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
   Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
   Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.
   Questions:
   1. Give your explanation of the notion “generation gap”.
   2. How do you think, which is the tensest period in the relationships between parents and their children?
   3. What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
   4. Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour during the last years?
   5. How would you characterize your relations with your parents?
   6. Do you like to spend time with your family?
   7. What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and peaceful relationship between parents and children?
   8. Are you a spoiled child?
   9. Do you approve of the way your parents brought you up?
   10. What would you like to change in the way your parents brought you up?
   Vocabulary:
   generation gap — конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей
   definition — определение
   to be aware of — знать что-либо, быть осведомлённым о чём-либо
   difference — разногласие, различие
   to deal with — иметь дело с
   to keep in mind — понимать, уяснять
   include — включать
   several — несколько
   world outlook — мировоззрение
   patience — терпение
   to devote — посвящать
   attitude — отношение
   close relative — близкий родственник
   to give birth to a baby — родить ребёнка
   to neglect — пренебрегать, забрасывать, игнорировать
   upbringing — воспитание
   guidance — наставление, руководство
   to involve — вовлекать
   to commit violence — совершать насилие
   to commit crime — совершать преступление
   alcohol addicted — зависимый от алкоголя
   drug addicted — наркотически зависимый
   strict — строгий
   freedom — свобода
   pariah — изгой
   peer — сверстник
   ban — запрет, запрещение
   to increase — возрастать
   insolent — дерзкий
   defiant — непокорный
   lying — лживость
   to force — заставлять
   to punish — наказывать
   to put on a make-up — делать макияж
   to rebel against discipline — восставать против дисциплины
   family values — семейные ценности
   inappropriate — неподходящий
   to dye one’s hair — красить волосы
   inconceivable — немыслимый
   independence — независимость
   to establish one’s identity — состояться как личность
   to treat — обращаться, обходиться, вести себя
   responsibility — ответственность
   transitional age — переходный возраст
   to handle a behaviour — справиться с поведением
   full member — полноправный член
   moreover — более того
   to be in one’s teens — быть подростком
   vulnerable — уязвимый, ранимый
   to avoid — избегать
   unfair — несправедливый
   authoritarian — властный
   to overindulge — чрезмерно потакать
   negligence — пренебрежение
   to spoil a child — избаловать ребёнка
   capricious — капризный
   effort — усилие
   mutual understanding — взаимопонимание
   to disobey — не слушаться
   to set smb. on the right path — направить кого-либо на верный путь

5. Old people are always saying that the young are not what they were. The same comment is made from generation to generation and is always true; it has never been truer than it is today.
   These days, grown-ups describe children as “difficult”, “rude”, “wild” and “irresponsible”. Only some people say that they will grow up to make our country a better place.
   For kids from 8 to 14 a new term “tweens” has recently been coined. They are no longer children nor yet teenagers, just between – tweens. They are said to be a generation in a fearful hurry to grow up. Instead of playing with Barbies and Lego they are interested in the vagaries of love on TV serials. Girls wear provocative make-up. At this very age kids start pairing off. Tweens have got an insatiable desire for the latest in everything – from jeans with labels so that everyone will know that they’ve got the latest stuff – to CDs. Kids at their age desperately need to belong and that’s why everything comes down to appearance. They think that having the right “stuff” is the quickest way to acceptance. To parents and teachers they can be a nightmare, aping the hairstyles, clothes and make-up of celebrities twice their age. Experts say that the rush to grow up is due to the mass media. Being raised by single-parent families as well as watching TV, which sucks up most of their free time, can also accelerate the desire of children for being independent and creates behaviour problems.
   But the most painful part of childhood is the period when they begin to emerge from it: adolescence or the awkward age. There is a complete lack of self-confidence during this time. Adolescents are over conscious of their appearance and the impression they make on others. They feel shy, awkward and clumsy. Feelings are intense and hearts – easily broken. Teenagers experience moments of tremendous elation or black despair. And besides friends are becoming more and more important these yeas. At schools there are cliques who decide what is “cool”. Adolescents may rebel violently against parental authority, but this causes them great unhappiness. And they are not always helped to get through a confusion of life in a steady, productive way. But even teenagers with sympathetic and supportive parents can fall in with bad company.
   Most children don’t belong to any clubs and they just start roaming the street after school out of sheer boredom. A lot of them become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol because their life is hollow and they don’t think of life-long goals. They have nothing to fill the emptiness of their souls with. They demand to have all that they see, and regard it as their right to be entertained every waking moment.
   And besides our society is becoming more and more stratified. There has appeared a class of rich people and a class of poor people (to be more exact – people leaving below the poverty line). Children of well-off parents consider themselves “the smart set” or “gilded youth”. Their parents give them every material benefit, pocket money any time they ask. A lot of these children have their own brand-new cars and personal computers. It goes without saying that it causes jealousy and the desire to possess the same things on the part of children whose parents are poor and cannot afford it. Such feelings can push teenagers to committing a crime and it leads to a wide spread of juvenile delinquency.
   Nowadays children start using computers very early. Tweens and teens are so fascinated by them that they spend hours and hours at their personal computers or at computer clubs. The electronic universe replaces their contacts with friends and dominates their life completely. Obsession with computers brings about a mechanical, disillusioned mentality and inhibits their emotional development.
   The heads of youngsters are also being filled with violent pictures they have seen on TV. Children are very naive and impressionable. And no wonder that they are so aggressive and arrogant in real life. They are thrown into such a harsh world, especially if they live in a city. These days a lot of parents think that they should be lenient with their children, they should let them find out about life for themselves, they should leave children to develop their own idea of right and wrong. But it’s a grave mistake.
   Parents should try to protect their children from possible bad influences and give them clear guidance about right and wrong.There is no way to predict how today’s children will turn out. Keeping faith in kids is necessary. They are not bad. They are optimistic. They expect to have a better life than their parents’. And grown-ups – if they are prepared to admit it – could learn a thing or two from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not “sinful”. Enjoyment, is a principle you could apply to all aspects of life. It is not wrong to enjoy your work and enjoy your leisure, to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong to live in the present rather than in the past or future. This emphasis on the present is only to be expected because the young have grown up under the constant threat of World War III, which means complete annihilation. This is their “glorious” heritage. Can we be surprised that they question the wisdom and sanity of their elders?

6. Generation Gap
   Old people are always saying that the young are not what they were. The same comment is made from generation to generation and is always true; it has never been truer than it is today.
   These days, grown-ups describe children as «difficult», «rude», «wild» and «irresponsible». Only some people say that they will grow up to make our country a better place.
   For kids from 8 to 14 a new term «tweens» has recently been coined. They are no longer children nor yet teenagers, just between – tweens. They are said to be a generation in a fearful hurry to grow up. Instead of playing with Barbies and Lego they are interested in the vagaries of love on TV serials. Girls wear provocative make-up. At this very age kids start pairing off. Tweens have got an insatiable desire for the latest in everything – from jeans with labels so that everyone will know that they’ve got the latest stuff – to CDs. Kids at their age desperately need to belong and that’s why everything comes down to appearance. They think that having the right «stuff» is the quickest way to acceptance. To parents and teachers they can be a nightmare, aping the hairstyles, clothes and make-up of celebrities twice their age. Experts say that the rush to grow up is due to the mass media. Being raised by single-parent families as well as watching TV, which sucks up most of their free time, can also accelerate the desire of children for being independent and creates behaviour problems.
   But the most painful part of childhood is the period when they begin to emerge from it: adolescence or the awkward age. There is a complete lack of self-confidence during this time. Adolescents are over conscious of their appearance and the impression they make on others. They feel shy, awkward and clumsy. Feelings are intense and hearts – easily broken. Teenagers experience moments of tremendous elation or black despair. And besides friends are becoming more and more important these yeas. At schools there are cliques who decide what is «cool». Adolescents may rebel violently against parental authority, but this causes them great unhappiness. And they are not always helped to get through a confusion of life in a steady, productive way. But even teenagers with sympathetic and supportive parents can fall in with bad company.
   Most children don’t belong to any clubs and they just start roaming the street after school out of sheer boredom. A lot of them become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol because their life is hollow and they don’t think of life-long goals. They have nothing to fill the emptiness of their souls with. They demand to have all that they see, and regard it as their right to be entertained every waking moment.
   And besides our society is becoming more and more stratified. There has appeared a class of rich people and a class of poor people (to be more exact – people leaving below the poverty line). Children of well-off parents consider themselves «the smart set» or «gilded youth». Their parents give them every material benefit, pocket money any time they ask. A lot of these children have their own brand-new cars and personal computers. It goes without saying that it causes jealousy and the desire to possess the same things on the part of children whose parents are poor and cannot afford it. Such feelings can push teenagers to committing a crime and it leads to a wide spread of juvenile delinquency.
   Nowadays children start using computers very early. Tweens and teens are so fascinated by them that they spend hours and hours at their personal computers or at computer clubs. The electronic universe replaces their contacts with friends and dominates their life completely. Obsession with computers brings about a mechanical, disillusioned mentality and inhibits their emotional development.
   The heads of youngsters are also being filled with violent pictures they have seen on TV. Children are very naive and impressionable. And no wonder that they are so aggressive and arrogant in real life. They are thrown into such a harsh world, especially if they live in a city. These days a lot of parents think that they should be lenient with their children, they should let them find out about life for themselves, they should leave children to develop their own idea of right and wrong. But it’s a grave mistake.
   Parents should try to protect their children from possible bad influences and give them clear guidance about right and wrong. There is no way to predict how today’s children will turn out. Keeping faith in kids is necessary. They are not bad. They are optimistic. They expect to have a better life than their parents’. And grown-ups – if they are prepared to admit it – could learn a thing or two from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not «sinful». Enjoyment, is a principle you could apply to all aspects of life. It is not wrong to enjoy your work and enjoy your leisure, to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong to live in the present rather than in the past or future. This emphasis on the present is only to be expected because the young have grown up under the constant threat of World War III, which means complete annihilation. This is their «glorious» heritage. Can we be surprised that they question the wisdom and sanity of their elders?

7. Family System
   People belonging to the older generations lived in a joint family system and believed in sharing and caring. However, this concept has deteriorated over the generations. The current generation wants freedom and there is hardly anyone who follows the traditional way of living in the joint families. The overall lifestyle of people has changed drastically.
   Language
   The Hindi spoken by people belonging to the pre-independence era is quite different from that being spoken today and the change did not occur all of a sudden it occurred over a period of time – generation after generation. Each generation adopts a new group of slangs thereby creating some division from the earlier one. Communication between people belonging to different generations at home as well as workplace sometimes becomes quite difficult due to this change in language.
   Workplace Attitude
   While people belonging to the earlier generations were good at taking directions and were loyal to a single employer, people these days get bored quite quickly and seek new jobs within a few years or at times even months of getting a job. The Gen Y people are innovative and want to share and implement their own unique ideas rather than blindly taking directions from their boss.
   Attitude towards Women
   Women belonging to the older generations were mostly confined to home. They were only seen as someone who should take care of the house, going out and working was the thing of the men of the house. However, society’s attitude towards women has changed over the generations. Today, women are allowed to enter any field of their choice and work just as men.
   Conclusion
   People belonging to one generation are very different from the other which is natural. However, the problem arises when people from different generations try to impose their ideas and beliefs on the other while totally condemning that of the others’.

   Generation Gap Essay – 4 (500 words)

   Introduction
   Generation gap is basically the gap between different generations. The theory of generation gap launched in the 1960’s states that the younger generation is always seen questioning and challenging the ideas, viewpoint and beliefs of the older generations.
   Classification of Generations
   It has been observed that people from different generations behave differently in any given situation. Based on their point of view, beliefs, ideas, and over all behaviour generations have been classified into different categories. Here is a look at this classification in detail:
   The Traditionalists
   The Baby Boomers
   The Generation X Group
   The Generation Y Group
   Here is a brief about each of these generations:
   The Traditionalists
   These people belong to the group that was born before 1946 and are now above 70 years of age. These are said to be the ones who take orders well and get satisfaction when a job is accomplished efficiently. They love sharing their experiences with the younger generations and like to be around people who appreciate their knowledge and experience. They are known to be loyal to a single employer. Most of them spend their entire life working for the same organization and look forward to the same loyalty in return.
   The Baby Boomers
   These people were born between 1946 and 1965. People from this generation are hard working but mostly not open to feedbacks. They want monetary rewards as well as promotions. Since most of them did not grow up in luxury, they make sure their children have everything they want. They also have an urge to feel appreciated. They want their employers and children to tell them that they are valued and needed. A lack of the same creates dissatisfaction among them.
   The Generation X
   People belonging to this generation were born between 1965 and 1980. Generation X wants their space. The best reward for them is in the form of time off. They want to do things their own way and don’t like going by any rules. They want to be told that they can do things the way they want. Most of these people saw both their parents working and the impact it had on them was not good. Hence, they give preference to their family life over their job. This generation is known to have pushed for flexible working hours.
   The Generation Y
   This is the group of people born between 1981 and 1999. Most of them have just entered the workforce. This group is interested in indulging into meaningful work and also looks forward to quick feedback. People from this generation are quite creative. They like working with creative individuals and at places where they are allowed to explore their creativity. This is a source of motivation for them and keeps them alive. This is also a generation that tends to get bored very quickly. Unlike the traditionalists, they change their jobs quite frequently.
   Conclusion
   The human race is constantly evolving and hence there is a change in the ideologies of people belonging to different generations. While it is completely alright to have an opinion different from the other however it should never turn into a cause of conflict.

   Generation Gap Essay – 5 (600 words)

   Introduction
   Generation gap is a natural phenomenon. The studies conducted in this direction state how one generation is bound to be different from the other. It is something that comes naturally to them and it is in a way a good thing as this is how the human species is evolving.
   Generation Gap – Impact on Relations
   Fresh ideas and view points are always good. This is how the world around us evolves at different levels. However, the difference of opinions and ideas between two generations, especially parents and children, often becomes a point of clash. This clash has resulted in numerous strained relationships.
   Parents have huge expectations from their kids. They have a set image of how their child should behave based on their tradition, values as well as the way the other kids in their extended family are doing. They think they know best about how and what their kids should do in life. Now, the problem arises when the child has a different bent of mind (which happens in most of the cases). This is when the conflict begins. This is not to say that the parents are absolutely wrong each time. They are elders and are certainly a great guidance and at times take the right decision for their kids. However, the younger generation seldom understands this. It is sad how generation gap has been a cause of numerous estranged relationships.
   How to Bridge the Gap?
   Parent-child relationship is the most beautiful relationship in the world. It should be nurtured with love and handled with care. It is unfortunate to see how these relationships are strained at the hands of something as trivial as difference in opinion.
   It is seen that the older generation always claims to be a better judge and a better decision maker and the younger generation is often made to feel like the culprit. It is time to understand that neither is completely wrong or completely right in what they do. In fact, the definition of right and wrong in this case is different for different generations. There is a need for acceptance and understanding here.
   People from the older generation must understand that their children are born in a different age and hence their mindset is different from them. Parents and grandparents need to pay attention to why their children are behaving in the way they are behaving and as to why they have an opinion different from them rather than blindly imposing their rules and ideas on the later.
   Parents must become friends with their children to understand their psyche. Children, on the other hand, must respect their parents. They must trust their parents and share their thoughts with them. Children must be open to feedback and understand that the advice coming from their parents is not wrong. It will only help them progress in life.
   Parents must not judge their children and allow them the space to do things on their own rather than poking in everything. While parents give their children space, they must define certain boundaries that the later should respect the same. Two-way communication is the basis of a strong relationship and both parents and children must ensure they maintain the same. Any issues must be discussed and both the parties must try to understand each other’s point of view rather than debating against it.
   Conclusion
   Generation gap occurs because the world is constantly changing. It should be understood that people born in different ages are bound to be different from one another. People must respect each other for their individuality rather than imposing their ideas and beliefs on each other.
   Related Information:
   Speech on Generation Gap

8. One of the important problems of all times is a generation gap.
   Adult’s mentality is different from teenager’s. We are the children
   of two epochs with different views on various subjects. Because of
   this parents and children sometimes argue with each other.
   Some people
   believe that teenagers today are generally rude, lazy and
   ill-behaved. Other people, however, think that teenagers are not so
   bad. Sometimes people
   don’t understand teenagers. They don’t understand some problems
   and things which are very important in teenagers’ life, for example
   the lifestyles, piercing, tattoos, relationship with friends and
   teachers.
   Some people don’t want to understand modern views, ideals and our
   system of values. They say that teenagers are cruel, brutal,
   heartless and rude. Yes, today new generation «plays» with smoking,
   drugs and alcohol, but this doesn’t mean that all teens are really
   bad!
   On the other hand, today many elderly people look at the
   world with new eyes. Moreover, they try to understand teenagers’
   problems and solve them.
   Most of the quarrels between parents and children happen because of
   children’s marks at school and generation gap. We try to learn
   better, but if we have a bad mark our parents can shout at us.
   In most cases «new generation» doesn’t
   understand their parents and becomes depressed because of this. To
   protest against it, teens can shock people
   around them. That’s why it is considered that teens today are lazy
   and ill-behaved. Elderly people usually compare their childhood and
   youth with present, they are always talking about «the good old
   days». People are said to become wiser with age. Sometimes it is
   true and sometimes it is not. I think that you can meet a wise man
   among the old as often as among the young. It is wrong that when
   wisdom always comes in old age. Sometimes when we talk to adults,
   they listen only to threir own point of view. That’s why some teens
   don’t like to talk to adults. To sum it up, nowadays everyone has a
   different view on teen’s life. But, in fact, we should simply learn
   to understand each other.
   Cultures and national stereotypes
   A nation is a group of people
   who share common history and usually a language and usually, but not
   always, live in the same area. Culture can be described as our
   everyday life: how we communicate, what makes us happy and said. It
   also includes our language, religion, traditions, behavior, way of
   life – in other words, what we do each day. People that belong to
   various nations may differ and they always differ from one another.
   For example, the Germans are regarded as scientifically-minded and
   industrious, they’re always considered solid, intelligent and
   mathematical. And, for instance, Israeli are believed to be
   mercenary, industrious, shrewd, loyal to family, religious. There is
   a big amount of examples we can list about national character of
   different people.
   Proving the difference of the national stereotypes I want to compare
   Russian and English nations. There are a lot of features that vary.
   The Russians are industrious, tough, brave, progressive and
   suspicious. They are always considered to be nationalistic, over –
   patriotic (because of this reason they’re good soldiers), we are
   willing to respect opinion of other people.
   Speaking about Englishmen I may note that they’re reserved,
   tradition-loving, courteous, honest, extremely nationalistic and etc.
   To my mind, they have a specific sense of humor. They say that they
   can’t understand our jokes and anecdotes not only because of the
   different meanings of the words, but because of their humor is more
   delicate. Looking at these features of the Russians and the
   Englishmen it is not hard to mark out the differences. The Englishmen
   are reserved, but the Russians are open-hearted and communicative.
   The Englishmen are tradition-loving and the Russians, to my mind,
   don’t keep their traditions in such a degree. There is a great
   majority of factors that influence the nations stereotype and its
   people’s character. People
   that live in the southern countries have less problems than those who
   live in the North and because of this they’re more cheerful and
   artistic. The history also has a great influence on the national
   character. The peoples in Asia are revengeful because their
   forefathers often were at war with others. In Africa many countries
   were colonies of the Great Britain, Holland, Spain and so on and they
   (Africans) were the slaves and because of this they’re still
   hard-working and industrious. The National Character exists. It is
   not a myth, it’s a reality. But the National Character doesn’t
   describe the character of every person, it describes the character of
   people
   of nation in general. Every person has its own character, but
   according to the person’s belonging to some nation many traits of
   character are similar and these features may be explained as the
   national character.

9. Sometimes our parents don’t understand us. They don’t understand problems and things which are very important in teen’s life, for example, the lifestyles of young people, piercing, tattoos, smoking, sex, relationship with friends and teachers. So, sometimes teens can’t tell them about their private life. Some parents 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. The young people, on the other hand, tend to think their times as the best. Teens look at the world with fresh eyes. Everything is new and interesting to them. Sometimes they cannot solve their everyday problems. But they want to cope with them by themselves. So, adults shouldn’t prevent them from making their own mistakes.
   People are said to become wiser with age. Sometimes it is true, sometimes it is not. I think, you can meet a wise man among the old as often as among the young.
   Our parents have their own ideas and views that their children do not share and understand. They think that their children will not find their place in life. They often say that now teens are very difficult to socialize with and dumpy. But children should settle all problems peacefully because they are their parents. They brought them up with loving care.
   Psychologists believe parents-child conflicts cannot be avoided in a society that is undergoing rapid change. Nowadays youngsters are at odds with their parents on a wide range of issues, from how late they can stay up to who they should marry. It is called a generation gap. But I think our parents are people who we can trust.  And if children come to their parents for advice and help, they will do their best and help children to cope with their problems and difficulties.
   VOCABULARY
   system of values                                –                          система ценностей
   relationship                                        –                          взаимоотношения
   wise                                                   –                           мудрый
   dumpy                                                –                          унылый
   to share                                               –                          делить(ся), разделять
   to settle                                               –                          разрешать, урегулировать
   to bring up                                          –                          воспитывать
   to avoid                                              –                           избегать
   to be at odds                                       –                          иметь разногласия
   to trust                                                –                           доверять
   to cope with                                        –                           справляться с

10. Generation Gap
    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you
    don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on
    your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious
    differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in
    mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much
    as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their
    children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the
    attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and
    patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better
    not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after
    giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent
    family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their
    children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on
    his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance
    from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence
    or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover
    that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when
    the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at
    all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant
    bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant.
    This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the
    parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on
    make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family
    values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’
    mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies
    pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their
    identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all
    the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he
    will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his
    transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should
    become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his
    interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child
    activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the
    child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full
    member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable
    when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always
    be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require
    the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their
    children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices.
    Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents
    who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such
    parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their
    children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents
    and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions
    on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every
    parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on
    the right path.
    Конфликт поколений
    Знаете ли вы, что такое
    проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее
    всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт
    поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который
    используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять,
    как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей
    включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих
    родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между
    братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как
    отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного
    внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку
    большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто
    встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения
    ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один
    родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы
    проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую
    часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей.
    Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где
    дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или
    наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно
    уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие
    отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его
    всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные
    запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это,
    в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти
    всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть
    выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе
    до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают
    против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку,
    носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые
    цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной
    целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные
    личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми
    людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую
    ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно
    станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в
    переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с
    таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка.
    Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно
    чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к
    примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение
    важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным
    членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте
    очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по
    отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от
    него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка
    может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по
    отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми
    запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко
    может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует
    немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует
    множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они
    не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет
    лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.
    Questions:
    1. Give your explanation of the notion
    “generation gap”.
    2. How do you think, which is the tensest period in
    the relationships between parents and their children?
    3. What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
    4. Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour
    during the last years?
    5. How would you characterize your relations with your
    parents?
    6. Do you like to spend time with your family?
    7. What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and
    peaceful relationship between parents and children?
    8. Are you a spoiled child?
    9. Do you approve of the way your parents brought you
    up?
    10. What would you like to change in the way your
    parents brought you up?
    Vocabulary:
    generation gap — конфликт поколений, или проблема
    отцов и детей
    definition — определение
    to be aware of — знать что-либо, быть осведомлённым о
    чём-либо
    difference — разногласие, различие
    to deal with — иметь дело с
    to keep in mind — понимать, уяснять
    include — включать
    several — несколько
    world outlook — мировоззрение
    patience — терпение
    to devote — посвящать
    attitude — отношение
    close relative — близкий родственник
    to give birth to a baby — родить ребёнка
    to neglect — пренебрегать, забрасывать, игнорировать
    upbringing — воспитание
    guidance — наставление, руководство
    to involve — вовлекать
    to commit violence — совершать насилие
    to commit crime — совершать преступление
    alcohol addicted — зависимый от алкоголя
    drug addicted — наркотически зависимый
    strict — строгий
    freedom — свобода
    pariah — изгой
    peer — сверстник
    ban — запрет, запрещение
    to increase — возрастать
    insolent — дерзкий
    defiant — непокорный
    lying — лживость
    to force — заставлять
    to punish — наказывать
    to put on a make-up — делать макияж
    to rebel against discipline — восставать против
    дисциплины
    family values — семейные ценности
    inappropriate — неподходящий
    to dye one’s hair — красить волосы
    inconceivable — немыслимый
    independence — независимость
    to establish one’s identity — состояться как личность
    to treat — обращаться, обходиться, вести себя
    responsibility — ответственность
    transitional age — переходный возраст
    to handle a behaviour — справиться с поведением
    full member — полноправный член
    moreover — более того
    to be in one’s teens — быть подростком
    vulnerable — уязвимый, ранимый
    to avoid — избегать
    unfair — несправедливый
    authoritarian — властный
    to overindulge — чрезмерно потакать
    negligence — пренебрежение
    to spoil a child — избаловать ребёнка
    capricious — капризный
    effort — усилие
    mutual understanding — взаимопонимание
    to disobey — не слушаться
    to set smb. on the right path — направить кого-либо на
    верный путь

11. 
    Generation Gap: Reality or a Psychological
    Prejudice
    To my mind
    generation gap is rather reality than a psychological prejudice.
    It has always been a topical problem and it still remains urgent
    nowadays.
    So what does a
    generation gap mean? It is a popular term used to describe big
    differences between people of a younger generation and their
    elders. This can be defined as occurring ‘when older and younger
    people do not understand each other because of their different
    experiences, opinions, habits and behavior’. The term first came
    into prominence in Western countries during the 1960s, and
    described the cultural differences between the Baby Boomers and
    their parents. Although some generational differences have
    existed throughout history, during this era differences between
    the two generations grew significantly in comparison to previous
    times, particularly with respect to such matters as musical
    tastes, fashion, drug use, culture and politics.
    Nowadays you will
    hardly find a boy or a girl satisfied with their parents.
    Neither will you find a grown-up, a parent not grumbling over
    ‘younger generation’ of their children. Pop music, ultra-modern
    clothes, noisy parties and children’s wish to have more freedom
    become a stumbling-block on the way of mutual understanding
    between adults and their offspring and help foster differences
    between parents and teenagers. So it seems that in most families
    parents don’t understand their children and children don’t
    understand their parents.
    According to the
    older generation teenagers are lazy, carefree, ungrateful,
    impolite and rude. They wear ridiculous clothes, listen to awful
    music and all they think about is parties, dates, friends and
    entertainment. Teenagers have very little responsibility and
    very few problems. But is it really so? If we look inside the
    mind of a teenager, we will see a very different picture.
    Teenagers are greatly worried about a great number of things:
    their appearance, relations with friends, parents and teachers,
    the way other people (especially their peers) treat them. They
    suffer from pimples, bullies, problems at school,
    misunderstanding with their boyfriend/girlfriend, lack of
    self-confidence, etc. Teenagers often don’t know what they are
    good at and their future seems to be rather vague. Every day
    they face a lot of stressful situations and feel depressed.
    Besides they have constant pressure from betters and elders as
    to how they should act, behave, look and feel.
    There are a lot
    of books and films devoted to the problem of the generation gap.
    One of such films is ‘Freaky Friday’ (2003). The wide generation
    gap between Tess Coleman (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her teenage
    daughter Anna (Lindsay Lohan) is more than evident. They simply
    cannot understand each other’s preferences. They have absolutely
    different views on clothes, hair, music, duties and even people.
    On a Friday morning the mother and the daughter switch bodies.
    As they adjust with their new personalities, they begin to
    understand each other more and eventually they gain respect for
    the other’s point of view. It is ‘selfless love’ that changes
    them back.
    But of course
    there is no magic in real life, that’s why there should be some
    other way to bridge the gap between parents and their children.
    To my mind communication is the best way to solve the problem.
    The more time adults and children spend together, the more they
    talk and discuss different things the better they understand
    each other. It is very important to be selfless and open-minded,
    patient and sincere. Despite the great changes in the electronic
    and technological environment in the last several decades, a
    defined gap does not separate today’s generations as it did in
    the sixties and seventies. So the ‘generation gap’ can
    disappear. If we are a little wiser, children will find a key to
    the heart of their parents and vice versa.
    1. Complete each sentence (A—H) with one of the endings
    (1—8):
    A. ‘Generation gap’ is a popular term used to describe
    B. The term first came into prominence
    C. Pop music, ultra-modern clothes, noisy parties and children’s
    wish to have more freedom become
    D. According to the older generation teenagers are
    E. Teenagers are greatly worried about
    F. Besides they have constant pressure from betters and elders
    G. The more time adults and children spend together, the more
    they talk and discuss different things
    H. Despite the great changes in the electronic and technological
    environment in the last several decades
    1. their appearance, relations with friends, parents and
    teachers, the way other people treat them.
    2. the better they understand each other.
    3. big differences between people of a younger generation and
    their elders.
    4. a defined gap does not separate today’s generations as it did
    in the sixties and seventies.
    5. in Western countries during the 1960s.
    6. lazy, carefree, ungrateful, impolite and rude.
    7. a stumbling-block on the way of mutual understanding between
    adults and their offspring.
    8. as to how they should act, behave, look and feel.
    2. Explain in other words
    • to come into prominence
    • generationaI differences
    • to grumble over
    • a stumbling block
    • to foster differences
    • lack of self-confidence
    • stressful situations
    • to have constant pressure from smb
    • to bridge the gap
    
    3. Answer the questions
    1) Why do generational differences exist?
    2) How can you describe a typical teenager/grown-up?
    3) What problems do teenagers usually face?
    4) What books and films devoted to the problem of the generation
    gap do you know?
    5) What are the ways to bridge the gap between parents and
    children?
    6) Does a defined gap separate today’s generations? Why?
    7) How can you characterize your relationships with your parents
    and grandparents? Do you understand each other’s opinions,
    habits, behavior and preferences?
    8) Do you agree that children’s job is ‘to try their wings’ and
    parents’ job is ‘to let them fly away’? Comment on your answer.
    4. Read the letters written by the teens who have problems
    with their parents. Give them some tips
    Kathie, 16.
    My parents don’t understand me! ‘They treat me as if I were
    a kid though I am already 16! I want to go clubbing and bowling,
    I want to meet my friends and go to different parties. ‘But they
    tell me to think^more about school and my studies. ‘When I go
    somewhere I have to be at home not later than 10 1″M. It’s
    ridiculous and all my friends laugh at me. fMy father almost had
    a stroke when he learnt that I had a boyfriend. Jiow can I make
    them understand that I’m not a child any more?
    Ben, 15.
    My classmates bully me. I don’t know why. Maybe because I’m
    shy and a bit fat or wear spectacles. I told my parents about my
    problem but they said it was quite all right and that I had to
    patch things up myself. They seem to be absolutely indifferent
    to what’s going on in my life. They don’t care about what I feel
    or what I want. I’d like to become a computer programmer, but
    Юad says I must become a lawyer. But what about my dreams? I’m
    torn between wanting to take a stand, and not wanting to upset
    my parents.
    Nelly, 14.
    My parents are too harden me. ‘We have great difficulties
    with understanding each other. Tvery day I hear ”Don’t listen
    to this music’, ‘Don’t talkito this girl – she is spoilt’,
    ”Don’t invite your friends’ … Sometimes I feel irritated and
    we quarrel. I’m really tired of such a don’t-do-it way of
    upbringing. My parents are convinced that everything I do is
    wrong. T)o I really deserve such an attitude?
    
    5. Read the quotations below. Choose any statement and comment
    on it
    • ‘The lessons of the past are ignored and obliterated in a
    contemporary antagonism known as the generation gap.’ (Spiro T.
    Agnew)
    • ‘Parents often talk about the younger generation as if they
    didn’t have anything to do with it.’ (Haim Ginott)
    • ‘Every generation needs a new revolution.’ (Thomas Jefferson)
    ‘Trouble is, kids feel they have to shock their elders and each
    generation grows up into something harder to shock.’ (Ben
    Lindsey)
    ‘Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends
    with its grandfathers.’ (Lewis Mumford)
    ‘Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the
    one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after
    it.’ (George Orwell)
    ‘Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it
    because it stands on the shoulders of that generation.’ (Ronald
    Reagan)
    Look at the picture by Bidstrupp. What can you say about the
    artist’s understanding of the problem of the generation gap? The
    words and word combinations in brackets can help you.
    (a topical problem, to remain urgent, to exist throughout
    history, to grumble over younger generation, a stumbling-block,
    generational differences, to have different views on smth, to
    bridge the gap, the lessons of the past, to shock parents, to be
    at war with elders, to revolt against, to make the same
    mistakes)
    A. Give the definition of generation gap.
    
    B. Read the text ‘Generation Gap: Reality or a Psychological
    Prejudice’. Comment on the title of the text.
    
    Из учебного пособия
    “Открывая
    мир с английским языком. Современные темы для обсуждения.
    Готовимся к ЕГЭ” Юнёва С.А. 2012г.

12. Generation Gap

    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.

    Конфликт поколений

    Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.
    Вопросы:
    1. How do you think, which is the tensest period in the relationships between parents and their children?
    2. Give your explanation of the notion “generation gap”.
    3. Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour during the last years?
    4. What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
    5. Do you like to spend time with your family?
    6. How would you characterize your relations with your parents?
    7. Are you a spoiled child?
    8. What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and peaceful relationship between parents and children?
    9. What would you like to change in the way your parents brought you up?
    10. Do you approve of the way your parents brought you up?
    Словарь:
    attitude – отношение
    alcohol addicted – зависимый от алкоголя
    ban – запрет, запрещение
    capricious – капризный
    close relative – близкий родственник
    definition – определение
    drug addicted – наркотически зависимый
    defiant – непокорный
    difference – разногласие, различие
    effort – усилие
    generation gap – конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей
    freedom – свобода
    family values – семейные ценности
    inappropriate – неподходящий
    inconceivable – немыслимый
    independence – независимость
    insolent – дерзкий
    lying – лживость
    mutual understanding – взаимопонимание
    pariah – изгой
    peer – сверстник
    patience – терпение
    strict – строгий
    to spoil a child – избаловать ребёнка
    to disobey – не слушаться
    to set smb. on the right path – направить кого-либо на верный путь
    to rebel against discipline – восставать против дисциплины
    to increase – возрастать
    to deal with – иметь дело с
    to be aware of – знать что-либо, быть осведомлённым о чём-либо
    to involve – вовлекать
    to commit violence – совершать насилие
    to commit crime – совершать преступление
    to devote – посвящать
    world outlook – мировоззрение
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13. Сочинение на английском языке с переводом.
    Generation Gap
    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.
    Конфликт поколений
    Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.

14. Главная /
    Темы топиков /
    Люди и общество-People and society /
    Конфликт поколений-Generation Gap
    Искать
    Топик по английскому языку “Generation Gap – Конфликт поколений”
    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests.
    Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices.
    Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.

    Перевод топика: Конфликт поколений

    Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель.
    В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей.
    Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.

    Vocabulary:

    generation gap — конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей
    definition — определение
    to be aware of — знать что-либо, быть осведомлённым о чём-либо
    difference — разногласие, различие
    to deal with — иметь дело с
    to keep in mind — понимать, уяснять
    include — включать
    several — несколько
    world outlook — мировоззрение
    patience — терпение
    to devote — посвящать
    attitude — отношение
    close relative — близкий родственник
    to give birth to a baby — родить ребёнка
    to neglect — пренебрегать, забрасывать, игнорировать
    upbringing — воспитание
    guidance — наставление, руководство
    to involve — вовлекать
    to commit violence — совершать насилие
    to commit crime — совершать преступление
    alcohol addicted — зависимый от алкоголя
    drug addicted — наркотически зависимый
    strict — строгий
    freedom — свобода
    pariah — изгой
    peer — сверстник
    ban — запрет, запрещение
    to increase — возрастать
    insolent — дерзкий
    defiant — непокорный
    lying — лживость
    to force — заставлять
    to punish — наказывать
    to put on a make-up — делать макияж
    to rebel against discipline — восставать против дисциплины
    family values — семейные ценности
    inappropriate — неподходящий
    to dye one’s hair — красить волосы
    inconceivable — немыслимый
    independence — независимость
    to establish one’s identity — состояться как личность
    to treat — обращаться, обходиться, вести себя
    responsibility — ответственность
    transitional age — переходный возраст
    to handle a behaviour — справиться с поведением
    full member — полноправный член
    moreover — более того
    to be in one’s teens — быть подростком
    vulnerable — уязвимый, ранимый
    to avoid — избегать
    unfair — несправедливый
    authoritarian — властный
    to overindulge — чрезмерно потакать
    negligence — пренебрежение
    to spoil a child — избаловать ребёнка
    capricious — капризный
    effort — усилие
    mutual understanding — взаимопонимание
    to disobey — не слушаться
    to set smb. on the right path — направить кого-либо на верный путь

    Questions:

    Give your explanation of the notion “generation gap”.
    How do you think, which is the tensest period in the relationships between parents and their children?
    What type of behaviour is usual for adolescents?
    Have you noticed any changes in your own behaviour during the last years?
    How would you characterize your relations with your parents?
    Do you like to spend time with your family?
    What is, in your opinion, the basis of healthy and peaceful relationship between parents and children?
    Are you a spoiled child?
    Do you approve of the way your parents brought you up?
    What would you like to change in the way your parents brought you up?

15. Generation Gap
    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.
    Конфликт поколений
    Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.

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16. The generation gap is one that cannot be bridged. Discuss.
    One can only guess how many problems can generation gap cause for a person. It is also not clear if there is a way for people of different age groups to understand each other. Some people claim that the problem is unlikely to have a solution, as there are too many differences between generations. Others, on the contrary, argue that people of different age groups can live in harmony, for there are a huge number of such examples.
    It is widely thought that the main reason of misunderstanding is the fact that older people are rigid and they refuse to accept any views other that their own while youngsters’ aim is to change the world and they will never give up. Indeed, older generation has lived long enough to be able to come to certain conclusions about various aspects of our life. Their view is based on real life experiences and older people are reluctant to change their views that makes them conservative. Young people, on the other hand, are taught a lot of different views on all kinds of things, and those views often appear to be almost the opposite to those older generation has which causes misunderstandings.
    Despite differences in views many people manage to bridge the gap by trying to understand the other side. This can be illustrated by the fact that families where parents and children discuss situations that can potentially lead to conflicts have much less problems than those families which try to avoid these conversations. Spending free time together can only make this effect stronger as it creates an atmosphere of comfort, understanding and mutual respect.
    On the whole, even though there always will be a difference between generations, there are ways to make the gap smaller. Not until we learn to listen to people of the different age groups will we be able to bridge the gap. Had we learnt to do that earlier we could have avoided many problems.
    327 words

17. Old people are always saying that the young are not what they were. The same comment is made from generation to generation and is always true; it has never been truer than it is today.
    These days, grown-ups describe children as «difficult», «rude», «wild» and «irresponsible». Only some people say that they will grow up to make our country a better place.
    For kids from 8 to 14 a new term «tweens» has recently been coined. They are no longer children nor yet teenagers, just between – tweens. They are said to be a generation in a fearful hurry to grow up. Instead of playing with Barbies and Lego they are interested in the vagaries of love on TV serials. Girls wear provocative make-up. At this very age kids start pairing off. Tweens have got an insatiable desire for the latest in everything – from jeans with labels so that everyone will know that they’ve got the latest stuff – to CDs. Kids at their age desperately need to belong and that’s why everything comes down to appearance. They think that having the right «stuff» is the quickest way to acceptance. To parents and teachers they can be a nightmare, aping the hairstyles, clothes and make-up of celebrities twice their age. Experts say that the rush to grow up is due to the mass media. Being raised by single-parent families as well as watching TV, which sucks up most of their free time, can also accelerate the desire of children for being independent and creates behaviour problems.
    But the most painful part of childhood is the period when they begin to emerge from it: adolescence or the awkward age. There is a complete lack of self-confidence during this time. Adolescents are over conscious of their appearance and the impression they make on others. They feel shy, awkward and clumsy. Feelings are intense and hearts – easily broken. Teenagers experience moments of tremendous elation or black despair. And besides friends are becoming more and more important these yeas. At schools there are cliques who decide what is «cool». Adolescents may rebel violently against parental authority, but this causes them great unhappiness. And they are not always helped to get through a confusion of life in a steady, productive way. But even teenagers with sympathetic and supportive parents can fall in with bad company.
    Most children don’t belong to any clubs and they just start roaming the street after school out of sheer boredom. A lot of them become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol because their life is hollow and they don’t think of life-long goals. They have nothing to fill the emptiness of their souls with. They demand to have all that they see, and regard it as their right to be entertained every waking moment.
    And besides our society is becoming more and more stratified. There has appeared a class of rich people and a class of poor people (to be more exact – people leaving below the poverty line). Children of well-off parents consider themselves «the smart set» or «gilded youth». Their parents give them every material benefit, pocket money any time they ask. A lot of these children have their own brand-new cars and personal computers. It goes without saying that it causes jealousy and the desire to possess the same things on the part of children whose parents are poor and cannot afford it. Such feelings can push teenagers to committing a crime and it leads to a wide spread of juvenile delinquency.
    Nowadays children start using computers very early. Tweens and teens are so fascinated by them that they spend hours and hours at their personal computers or at computer clubs. The electronic universe replaces their contacts with friends and dominates their life completely. Obsession with computers brings about a mechanical, disillusioned mentality and inhibits their emotional development.
    The heads of youngsters are also being filled with violent pictures they have seen on TV. Children are very naive and impressionable. And no wonder that they are so aggressive and arrogant in real life. They are thrown into such a harsh world, especially if they live in a city. These days a lot of parents think that they should be lenient with their children, they should let them find out about life for themselves, they should leave children to develop their own idea of right and wrong. But it’s a grave mistake.
    Parents should try to protect their children from possible bad influences and give them clear guidance about right and wrong. There is no way to predict how today’s children will turn out. Keeping faith in kids is necessary. They are not bad. They are optimistic. They expect to have a better life than their parents’. And grown-ups – if they are prepared to admit it – could learn a thing or two from their children. One of the biggest lessons they could learn is that enjoyment is not «sinful». Enjoyment, is a principle you could apply to all aspects of life. It is not wrong to enjoy your work and enjoy your leisure, to shed restricting inhibitions. It is surely not wrong to live in the present rather than in the past or future. This emphasis on the present is only to be expected because the young have grown up under the constant threat of World War III, which means complete annihilation. This is their «glorious» heritage. Can we be surprised that they question the wisdom and sanity of their elders?

18. Generation Gap
    Do you know what a generation gap is? Even if you don’t know the particular definition, you are aware of this problem, basing on your own experience. Generation gap is a popular term used to describe serious differences between people of two generations.
    To realize how to deal with it, you should keep in mind that generation gap includes several aspects: children must know as much as possible about their parents and parents — about the world outlook of their children, about relations between brothers and sisters, and also about the attitude to them of close relatives on both sides — father’s and mother’s.
    Children demand a great deal of attention, time and patience, so, if you are not ready to devote all that to your baby, it is better not to hurry There are many families where both parents keep working after giving birth to their baby It is similar to the situation with a single-parent family, when a father or a mother hardly have enough time and neglect their children’s upbringing. In such cases most of the time the child has to spend on his own or with his friends. Due to the fact that he has not got any guidance from his parents he may be involved in some bad companies which commit violence or even crime and become alcohol or drug addicted. When the parents discover that, it’s usually too late to change anything.
    On the other hand, there is a different situation when the parents treat their children too strict and don’t give them any freedom at all. In this case the children may become pariahs among their peers. Constant bans may increase the risk that the child will grow up insolent and defiant. This causes another big problem — lying. The child is forced to lie to the parents because of the fear to be punished. It can be anything from putting on make-up in the girls’ room at school to stealing.
    Some children rebel against discipline and family values. They listen to a loud music, wear inappropriate, to their parents’ mind, clothes, dye their hair in inconceivable colours, have all their bodies pierced and tattooed trying to show their independence and establish their identity. They want to be treated as adults, but they are not ready to take all the necessary responsibilities. It doesn’t mean that your child is bad and he will become a criminal. Of course, not! It only means that your child is in his transitional age and he is in need of your understanding and support.
    But how to handle such behaviour? Parents should become his close friends. First of all they should learn to respect his interests. Try to speak with him as often as possible, offer some parent-child activities like shopping or going in for sports. It is worth involving the child in discussing some family questions, just to show that he is a full member of the family. Moreover, children in their teens are very vulnerable when they are criticized in public, so try to avoid it. Parents should always be honest and sincere with their child; otherwise it would be unfair to require the same from him.
    Too authoritarian parents can’t do any good to their children as well as parents who overindulge all the child’s caprices. Overindulgence may lead to the same results as negligence. There are parents who are afraid of hurting the child by banning something when it is necessary. Such parents risk becoming powerless in the family and losing control over their children who may become spoiled and capricious.
    It demands to make a great effort from both parents and children to reach mutual understanding. There are many different opinions on the question of treating children if they disobey their parents, but every parent should decide for himself what will be best for his child and set him on the right path.
    Конфликт поколений
    Знаете ли вы, что такое проблема отцов и детей? Даже если вам неизвестно точное определение, вы, скорее всего, знакомы с этой проблемой на основе собственного опыта. Конфликт поколений, или проблема отцов и детей, — это популярный термин, который используется для описания серьёзных разногласий между двумя поколениями.
    Для того чтобы понять, как справляться с этой проблемой, нужно помнить, что проблема отцов и детей включает в себя несколько аспектов: дети должны знать как можно больше о своих родителях, а родители — о мировоззрении своих детей, об отношениях между братьями и сестрами, об отношении к ним близких родственников со стороны как отца, так и матери.
    Дети требуют огромного внимания, много времени и терпения; поэтому, если вы не готовы уделять ребёнку большое количество времени, лучше не торопиться заводить его. Очень часто встречаются семьи, где оба родителя продолжают работать даже после рождения ребёнка. Такая ситуация схожа с другой, где ребёнка воспитывает только один родитель. В таких случаях папе или маме постоянно не хватает времени, чтобы проводить время с малышом, и они почти не занимаются его воспитанием. Большую часть времени ребёнок вынужден проводить в одиночестве или в компании друзей. Лишённый родительского присмотра, он может быть вовлечён в плохую компанию, где дети совершают дурные поступки или даже преступления, становятся алкогольно или наркотически зависимыми. Когда же родителям становится об этом известно, обычно уже слишком поздно, для того чтобы что-либо изменить.
    Но существуют и такие отношения в семье, когда родители чрезмерно строги с ребёнком и лишают его всякой свободы. Из-за этого он может стать изгоем среди ровесников. Постоянные запреты увеличивают риск того, что ребёнок вырастет дерзким и непослушным. Это, в свою очередь, порождает ещё одну серьёзную проблему: ребёнок вынужден почти всегда лгать своим родителям из-за страха быть наказанным. Ложь может быть выражена в какой угодно форме — от наведения макияжа в женском туалете в школе до воровства.
    Некоторые дети восстают против дисциплины и семейных ценностей. Они постоянно слушают громкую музыку, носят ужасную, с точки зрения родителей, одежду, красят волосы в немыслимые цвета, делают пирсинг и татуировки по всему телу. Всё это они делают с одной единственной целью — показать свою независимость, заявить о том, что они уже полноправные личности в этом мире. Дети жаждут, чтобы с ними обращались как со взрослыми людьми, однако они ещё не готовы принять на себя всю необходимую ответственность. Такое поведение отнюдь не значит, что ваш ребёнок непременно станет плохим человеком. Конечно же, нет! Это означает лишь то, что он вошёл в переходный возраст и очень нуждается в вашем понимании и поддержке.
    Но как же справиться с таким поведением? Родители должны стать самыми близкими друзьями ребёнка. Прежде всего, нужно научиться уважать его интересы. Нужно стараться как можно чаще разговаривать с ним, предлагать ему какие-либо совместные занятия, к примеру шопинг или спорт. Обязательно включать своего ребёнка в обсуждение важных семейных вопросов, чтобы дать ему понять, что он является полноправным членом семьи. Более того, нужно учитывать, что дети в подростковом возрасте очень ранимы, поэтому старайтесь избегать публичной критики. Родители всегда должны быть честными и искренними по отношению к своему ребёнку, иначе просто несправедливо требовать того же от него.
    Чрезмерное потакание родителей всем капризам ребёнка может привести к таким же результатам, как невнимательность и равнодушие по отношению к нему. Некоторые родители боятся обидеть ребёнка необходимыми запретами. Такие родители рискуют потерять контроль над ребёнком, который легко может стать избалованным и капризным.
    Достижение полного взаимопонимания в семье требует немалых усилий с обеих сторон — как родителей, так и детей. Существует множество различных точек зрения на то, как нужно воспитывать детей, если они не слушаются родителей. Но каждый родитель должен решить для себя, что будет лучшим для ребёнка и направлять его на верный путь.