Youth is associated with innocence, beauty, good health, energy, idealism, curiosity, immaturity, inexperience and rebellion. Old age often implies experience, wisdom, fatigue, failing health and conservatism. For some people it is a time of fulfilment and contentment; for others it may involve cynicism and bitterness. It is sometimes associated with senility when people are forgetful or easily confused.

The physical differences between the young and the elderly are obvious. The average age of competitors in the World Cup or the Olympic Games is likely to be under 35. Medical records show that pensioners require more health treatments than other age-groups.

The notion of youth being rebellious could possibly date from the 1960s when there were many student protests in Western Europe and the U.S.A. More recently, there have been big student demonstrations in China and South Korea. Yet in many other countries, young people are careful to observe the status quo. Respect for elders still seems to be more prevalent in Asia and the Middle East than in Western Europe and the U.S.A. where the average age of political leaders seems to have fallen.

Discussion questions:

1. Are young people better or worse these days? Please explain.

2. Should adults try to teach young people lessons, such as the dangers of drinking too much, taking drugs or contracting the HIV virus, or should they leave them alone to find out about these things themselves? What do you think is the best age to teach them about these things? Explain your opinion.

3. Most countries give young people rights as they reach a certain age. For example, British people can legally make love or fight for their country at the age of 16; they can drink, vote and drive a car when they are 18. Does your country have similar laws? Do you think that any of the age limits need changing?

4. Should young people have to do some form of military or community service by law?

5. Should people of between 60 and 65 be obliged to retire from their jobs in order to make way for younger workers?

6. Are there many things that the old can teach the young or are they hopelessly out of touch by the time they reach a certain age?

7. In most countries, compulsory education is targeted at 5 - 16 year olds. Would it be better to offer it to pensioners who want to learn rather than young people who prefer not to be in school?

8. In Russia, China and many other countries, there is a tradition of choosing leaders who are advanced in years. Do you think that older people make better leaders?

9. Many elderly people have disabilities which limit their mobility. Do buses, shops and public buildings in your country provide easy access for the disabled or are your towns and cities designed mainly for the young and able-bodied?

10. Should the elderly be expected to pay for residential care out of their own savings or should appropriate accommodation and nursing be provided by the tax payer?

PHOTO CREDIT: idle.slashdot.org/.../20/1617241.shtml?from=rss

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In a world of technological change, we struggle to keep up with new developments, yet at the same time, many of us welcome the continuity and repetition provided by traditions. Some of our traditions are connected with places; others relate to the calendar and religious or pagan ceremonies.

Traditions are also observed during important moments of our lives such as weddings and funerals. In a traditional British church wedding, the bride wears a long white dress while the groom wears a black cloak and top hat. The bride's father escorts her to the front of the church and she is attended by brides maids when she leaves. The groom, accompanied by the "best man" brings a gold ring which is placed on the bride's finger after the couple have made serious promises. The groom is then allowed to kiss the bride.

Discussion questions:

1. Do children in your country learn traditional songs which their grandparents also
know? What are these songs about? What instruments are used to play these songs?

2. Does your country have any traditional dances for special ceremonies at different times
of the year? Describe the dances and the traditional dance costumes.

3. What are the traditional sports in your country? Is your country still good at these sports? Describe the traditional clothing.

4. What traditional food and drinks do you have in your country?

5. In Britain, when you are invited to a dinner party, it is traditional to bring a bottle of
wine and flowers or chocolates for the hostess. It is normal to arrive on time, but not
too early. What happens in your country?

6. London businessmen used to wear grey suits and bowler hats. They also carried
umbrellas and read The Times newspaper. What is the traditional image of
business people in your capital city?

7. In very traditional British schools, the pupils stand up when the teacher enters the
room. Teachers used to wear square black hats and long black gowns. It is also
traditional to have school assemblies before morning lessons and to sing a special
school song at the end of term. Do schools in your country have similar traditions?

8. When are the traditional ceremonies in your country and what happens?

9. Describe a traditional wedding ceremony in your country.

10. Describe the traditions relating to your country’s Royal Family, Centre of Government
or System of Justice.

PHOTO CREDIT: www.korea.net/News/News/NewsView.asp?serial_n...

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May 1—The International Worker’s Rights Day!

If you asked an employee what comes to mind first when they think of Labor Day, what do you think they would say? The last days of summer? A family picnic? Shopping the Labor Day sales?

In the 1800s, mass production was introduced in the United States. Mass production means people worked together in factories to make goods in large quantities. The workers in these places worked long and hard for very little pay. The work was often dirty and dangerous. If workers dared to complain about their treatment, they were fired. Employers had a lot of power because there were always other people who needed a job and would be willing to do the work no matter how badly they were being treated.

The establishment of the Labor Day holiday is really the beginning of the story. There were many things in the workplace that workers wanted to change. More unions were formed. Workers came together to bring attention to how they were being mistreated. They negotiated with employers and lobbied government to increase wages, reduce the hours people worked and improve working conditions. The results of their efforts can be seen in how workers are treated today.

DISCUSSION:

• What do you do on Labor Day?
• Do you celebrate Labor Day in your country?
• How many hours a day do most people work?
• Do you work on Saturdays and Sundays?
• Are you paid enough? Why/not?
• Does your salary more or less equal your job description? Why/not?
• Have you ever negotiated a pay raise with your boss? If yes, what happened? If no, why haven't you tried to get more money?
• What's the difference (if any) between a good salary and a fair salary? Please explain.
• What happens when people work more than 40 hours in a week?
• What other days do people usually not have to work?
• Do women get paid less than men?
• Do people still get injured on the job?
• What happens if an employee is sick or gets hurt?
• Can workers be fired for joining a union? For going on strike?
• What is work-life balance? Please explain.
  

PHOTO CREDIT: www.azdems-district-21.org/PakAmer.htm

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