TEENAGERS
1. Read the article about teenagers:
Every two years Dolly, Australia’s most popular magazine for teenage girls, takes a look at the lives of
teenagers. Here are the results.
1. Today’s teens grow up in small families with
45% having one or no other siblings. One in three
has parents who never married or who are no longer
married. Most listen to their parents,
but they also agree that it’s healthy to have different opinions or beliefs from their parents.
2. Family is very important to teenagers but the thing they can’t live without is their phone. The number of
teens with smartphones has doubled in two years. 80 per cent of teenagers now have a smartphone.
3. Losing their virginity begins in this age group. Sixteen per cent of 14 to 17 year olds admit to having sex,
with most saying they lost their virginity to a girlfriend or boyfriend. Four in five who are sexually active use
a condom.
4. Smoking is on the outer. Only 12% smoke and eight in 10 would like their parents to stop smoking.
5. However, drinking alcohol is still popular. Forty-one per cent say they have been drunk, and the average
age that this group first tasted alcohol was 14.
6. Everyone does it. Ninety-nine per cent say it’s acceptable to drink alcohol occasionally.
7. And their parents make it easy for them to drink. Thirty-four per cent of teens say their parents have
bought them alcohol.
8. How a girl looks is linked to her weight. The number one reason girls want to lose weight is to look good.
Interestingly, the same reason holds true for boys. 52% of girls would like to lose weight, but only 33% think
they are overweight.
9. Teens are a lot smarter about using Facebook than two years ago. They have fewer Facebook friends, and
now they usually use Facebook to stay in contact with ‘real world’ friends rather than ‘virtual’ friends and
‘likes’.
10. And they care about internet safety too. Only 4% of teens have a totally public profile
11. Teens today are uncertain about the future. Their biggest worry is getting a good job, followed by the
need to make money and achieve financial security.
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12. They like to help. Eighty-one per cent of teens say they would like to volunteer their time to help others.
13. Girls work harder than boys. Eighty per cent of girls, compared to 72% of boys, believe they need
university education to succeed.
14. Stress is coming from everywhere. In 2011 most teen stress came from teachers at school. In 2013, pressure from school is still a factor but it’s been joined by pressure from parents and themselves to do well.
Pressure to stay up-to-date and present the best possible image on social media is also a source of stress.
(Source: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/20-must-know-facts-about-teens/) edited
2. Create a story:
Look at the picture and try to make up a story about the girl. Where is they? Why is she there? Is she
sad/happy? Is she waiting for someone? What has happened?
3. Answer these questions:
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How can a teenager contribute to society?
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At what age should teenagers move out?
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Did/do you have a good relationship with your parents? Why or why
not?
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What type of punishment should parents use for a teenager?
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What do you think are some important things parents can do for teenagers?
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Do you think teenagers today have it "too easy'?
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Do you think teenagers today show enough respect for parents?
Teachers? Seniors?
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What do you think about teenagers who dye their hair blue, green, or
another crazy color?
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Do you think that wearing uniforms to school is a good idea?
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What would you do if your teenage son or daughter got a tattoo?
Shaved his or her head?
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How do you feel about swearing? Does it matter if teenagers sometimes use bad language?
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Do you think it's a good idea to give teenagers a lot of freedom? (For example, come home when
you like)
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Do teenagers in your country have problems with drugs or alcohol? What can you do to keep your
teenager away from drugs and alcohol?
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Is teenage suicide a problem?
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Why do you think some teenagers do good things and others (in the same family often) do bad
things?
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At what age should a teenager have her/his first serious relationship?
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Do you think that advertising plays an important role in how teenagers think?
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Should teenagers work? Why or why not? Did you work when you were a teenager?
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Do you think it is better to raise teenagers in the city, a small town,
or the country?
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What are the advantages/disadvantages of being a child? A teen-
ager? An adult?
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At what age should teenagers be allowed to smoke? To drink?
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At what age should teenagers be allowed to drive?
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At what age should teenagers be allowed to get married?
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At what age should teenagers be allowed to vote?
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Do you know any good role models for teenagers? Parents? Pop
stars?
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Do you know any teenagers who don't act like other teens? Why do
you think they act differently?
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Can teens change the world?If yes, how? If not, why not?
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As a teenager, how do you think fashion changed or affected your
life?
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Which teenage fashion do you think is the the best? The strangest?
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