The document discusses problems that teenagers and their parents may face. It provides definitions of what a teenager is and lists concerns parents may have. Letters are presented from parents seeking advice on issues like a son spending too much time on the computer, a daughter wanting to get her tongue pierced, arguments over money with a 19-year-old, and a daughter with anger issues. Students are asked to provide advice to the parents and discuss related questions.
The document discusses problems that teenagers and their parents may face. It provides definitions of what a teenager is and lists concerns parents may have. Letters are presented from parents seeking advice on issues like a son spending too much time on the computer, a daughter wanting to get her tongue pierced, arguments over money with a 19-year-old, and a daughter with anger issues. Students are asked to provide advice to the parents and discuss related questions.
The document discusses problems that teenagers and their parents may face. It provides definitions of what a teenager is and lists concerns parents may have. Letters are presented from parents seeking advice on issues like a son spending too much time on the computer, a daughter wanting to get her tongue pierced, arguments over money with a 19-year-old, and a daughter with anger issues. Students are asked to provide advice to the parents and discuss related questions.
The document discusses problems that teenagers and their parents may face. It provides definitions of what a teenager is and lists concerns parents may have. Letters are presented from parents seeking advice on issues like a son spending too much time on the computer, a daughter wanting to get her tongue pierced, arguments over money with a 19-year-old, and a daughter with anger issues. Students are asked to provide advice to the parents and discuss related questions.
1. a) Read the definitions below. Work in pairs. Do you agree with them? Write a definition of your own. A teenager is...
a) a person who can’t remember to walk the dog but never forgets a phone number. b) a youngster who receives her allowance on Monday, spends it on Tuesday and borrows it from her best friend on Wednesday. c) someone who can hear his favourite singer 3 blocks away but not his mother calling from the next room. d) a whiz that can operate the latest computer without a lesson but can’t make a bed. e) a romantic who never falls in love more than once a week.
2. a) Work in pairs. Discuss what kind of problems young people of your age have.
b) In pairs make a list of typical concerns the parents of teenagers might have. Which list was easier to make?
3. a) Look through the letters below. What kind of letters are they? How many of the problems mentioned by the senders are on your list?
1. My 15-year-old son in 9th grade quit martial arts and now hangs around talking on the phone and using the computer. He loved martial arts – had been at it since he was 3. When I asked him why he said ‘’It takes up too much of my life’’. The point here is that he wants to hang around and use the computer and do nothing else. This is isolating, bad for his eyes and body, makes him miss out on the possibilities to develop personality and makes him a boring, sheltered person. It gets to the point where he does not want to answer when I am talking to him. I suggest many different activities and look at magazines to find more, but he shoots down everyone. I am hoping someone out there has a suggestion; maybe you went through something like this and found a solution.
7 2. My 15-year-old daughter wants to get her tongue pierced. Any advice (for me or her!)? I personally find the idea disgusting. Thank you. Barbara
3. We had another argument with our 19-year old (yes, 19!) who just can’t live with the limits we want to place on what we are providing in the way of money. The 19-year-old in question just finished her freshman year at an extremely expensive school. We told her when she was applying for schools that if she wanted to go to the expensive school, she would have to earn the money for her personal expenses. She agreed that was perfectly fair. Since then we’ve had two HUGE arguments about money. First, that she wants money for food. We told her we would buy any groceries she wants – just put it on the list – but we weren’t going to give her money (what she really wants is money so she can eat out with her friends). Last night it was gas for her car (yes, she has a car of her own for which we pay insurance but the gas is supposed to be her responsibility). I’ve offered to pay her for babysitting the youngest child and she semi-agrees but whenever I need her she has other plans. What is wrong? Is she just totally spoiled?
4. My daughter has a very explosive temper. She is desperate to prove
she is ‘’an adult’’ (will turn 17 next month), and often feels like she is not getting the respect and autonomy that she ‘’deserves.’’ Then she gets so mad that she slams doors, yells, and sometimes just storms out of the house. I don’t really expect her to be able to ‘’get it’’ that at almost 17 she is NOT AT ALL an adult, but I would like her to at least learn some better ways of coping with her anger. The door slamming and dirty words are annoying and disrespectful, but maybe I could learn to live with; my main concern is leaving the house at night, which feels really dangerous. We have worked with two different therapists, I liked them both, but she thinks therapy is ‘’stupid,’’ ‘’boring’’ and ‘’doesn’t work.’’ Our last session, she explained to the therapist that she wouldn’t have to get so mad if other people just would stop being so annoying; in other words, it’s not HER fault, it’s OURS. Any recommendations?
4. a) Work in pairs. Use the context to explain what the words in bold mean.
b) Read the letters again. Name the letter(s) that says or implies that... 1. the child in question has some kind of addiction? 2. the child is adult enough to solve the problems himself? 3. the parents’ desire to help didn’t do any good? 4. the child’s behaviour might lead to health problems? 5. the parent is trying to find a way to introduce a prohibition? 6. the child is being rude to parents?
8 5. Discuss the questions below in small groups. 1. What advice or recommendations could you give to the concerned parents in each case? 2. Is there a letter your mum could have written? 3. How would you feel if your parents sought for help from the outside? 4. What problems might your parents describe in a letter like this?
6. Write a reply to one of the letters. Start like this
Dear concerned parent, I was really moved by your letter. Being a teenager myself I must admit…
