Generation Gap

I. Read and translate the text:

Youth is a very important period in the life of man. This is the time when a person discovers the world and tries to determine the place in the universe. Young people face lots of problems which are very important for them and do not differ much from those that once their parents had to deal with. At the same time every generation is unique. It differs from the one that preceded it in its experience, ideals and a system of values.

The adults always complain that the young are not what they were. These words are repeated from generation to generation. To some extent they are true, because every new generation grows up quicker, enjoys more freedom. It is better educated and benefits from the results of the technological progress of the time.

Moreover, the young look forward and the old people look backward. The adult always teach the young how to live. They apply old standards to the new way of life. The past is hanging over them preventing them from appreciating the things around them anew. The young think that the adults have lost touch with everything that is important in life.

Young people of today do not directly accept the standards of their parents who believe that they are right because they are older. The adults don't want their values to be questioned. The young on the other hand can not accept the values of their "fathers". All these differences generate a generation gap when the young and adult do not understand one another. Generation gap means difference in attitude, or lack of understanding between younger and older generation.

As a rule the adults, dissatisfied with their own lives, teach the young how to live. Unfortunately, the adults apply old standards to the new way of life. They can not leave behind their "good old days". This burden is very heavy. They think that the world is going down hill. They gloomily look ahead unable to understand the optimism of their children who want to pave their own way in life. The majority of the young people do not want to live in the past. They have their own ideals. They want to make their own mistakes rather than to listen to the warnings of the adults and repeat the mistakes of the older generation. They want to overcome their own difficulties without looking back.

However, the life of the young is frequently determined by the adults. It seems that parents will never understand their children. And children, in their turn, shock their parents with their dress, language, behaviour. The existence of sub-culture which is specific for every generation is a form of protest of the young people against the values of the adults.

Traditionally, young people were looking at their elders for guidance. Today the situation is different. Sometimes the young people share information and experience with their parents. Moreover, young people grow up so quickly that they almost do not have time to enjoy their childhood.

The only way to solve this insoluble problem for both the young and adults is to be tolerant and patient. Despite the generation differences parents must try to do their best and to help their sons and daughters to cope with the problems and difficulties. The younger generation has a different outlook, a different approach to life, different values but if fathers and sons try to be patient and attentive to each other and if the whole society improves the social situation and conditions of life, understanding and respect between them both will come sooner.

II. Translate the following words and word combinations into English using the text; learn them:

- конфликт поколений; ценности; польза; свобода; ценить; отношение; неудовлетворенность жизнью; слушать предупреждения взрослых; повторять ошибки старшего поколения; преодолеть трудности; неразрешимая проблема; иной подход к жизни; справиться с проблемами

III. Explain the following in English:

- generation gap - sub-culture

- experience - to share information

- system of values - insoluble problem

- burden - to do one’s best

IV. Answer the question:

Why does the preceding generation always say that the next is not as they were?

V. Comment on the following:

Your children are not your children

They are the sons and daughters of

Life’s longing for itself

They came through you but not from you

And though they are with you yet they

Belong not to you.

You can give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts

You may house their bodies but not their souls.

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,

Which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams

You may strive to be like them, but seek not

to make them like you,

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children

as living arrows are sent forth.

Kahlil Gibran