Childhood is not the happiest time

It’s about time somebody exploded that hoary old myth about childhood being the happiest period of your time. Childhood may certainly be fairly happy, but its greatest moments can’t be compared with the sheer joy of being an adult. Who ever asked a six-year-old for an opinion? Children don’t have opinions, or if they do, nobody notices. Adults choose the clothes their children will wear, the books they will read and the friends they will play with. Mother and father are kindly but absolute dictators. This is an adult world and though children may be deeply loved, they have to be manipulated so as not to interfere too seriously with the lives of their elders and betters. The essential difference between manhood and childhood is the same as the difference between independence and subjection.

For all the nostalgic remarks you hear, which adult would honestly change place with a child? Think of the years at school: the years spent living in constant fear of examinations and school reports. Every movement you make, every thought you think is observed by some critical adult who may draw unflattering conclusions about your character. Think of the curfews, the martial law, the times you had to go to bed early, do as you were told, eat disgusting stuff that was supposed to be good for you. Remember how “gentle” pressure was applied with remarks like “if you don’t do as I say, I’ll …” and a dire warning would follow.

Even so, these are only part of a child’s troubles. No matter how kind and loving adults may be, children often suffer from terrible, illogical fears which are the result of ignorance and inability to understand the world around them. Nothing can equal the abject fear a child may feel in the dark, the absolute horror of childish nightmares. Adults can share their fears with other adults; children invariably face their fears alone. But the most painful part of childhood is the period when you begin to emerge from it: adolescence. Teenagers may rebel violently against parental authority, but this causes them great unhappiness. 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 are broken. Teenagers experience moments of tremendous elation or black despair. And through this turmoil, adults seem to be more hostile than ever.

What a relief it is to grow up! Suddenly you regain your balance; the world opens up before you. You are free to choose; you have your own place to live in and your own money to spend. You do not have to seek constant approval for everything you do. You are no longer teased, punished or ridiculed by heartless adults because you failed to come up to some theoretical standard. And if on occasion you are teased, you know how to deal with it. You can simply tell other adults to go to hell: you are one yourself.

6.1.26 Переведите слова и словосочетания на русский язык:

Hoary old myth, sheer joy, a six-year-old, absolute dictators, an adult world, they have to be manipulated, the essential difference, independence and subjection, to live in constant fear of examinations, to draw unflattering conclusions, curfews, martial law, to eat disgusting stuff, a dire warning, to suffer from terrible fears, the result of ignorance, horror of childish nightmares, a complete lack of self-confidence, tremendous elation.

6.1.27 Переведите словосочетания на английский язык:

Детство, юность, древний миф, абсолютная радость, шестилетний ребенок, независимость и подчинение, комендантский час, военный режим, есть отвратительную еду, результат невежества, бунтовать против родительского авторитета, подростки, вернуть баланс, бес сердечные взрослые; знать, как с этим справиться.

6.1.28 Прочитайте текст еще раз и найдите в тексте предложения с данными словосочетаниями:

Hoary old myth, sheer joy of being an adult, an adult world, critical adult, a dire warning, the result of ignorance, face their fears alone, lack of self-confidence, black despair, to be more hostile.

6.1.29 Объясните по-английски значение данных слов и выражений:

An adult, a dictator, curfew, disgusting stuff, nightmares, adolescence, lack

of self-confidence, to feel shy and awkward, tremendous elation, black despair.

6.1.30 Заполните пропуски соответствующими предлогами, где это необходимо:

1. Childhood may certainly be fairly happy, but its greatest moments can’t be compared with the sheer joy … being an adult.

2. The essential difference … manhood and childhood is the same as the difference … independence and subjection.

3. Every movement you make is observed … some critical adult.

4. These are only part … child’s troubles.

5. No matter how kind and loving adults may be, children often suffer … terrible and illogical fears.

6. Adults can share their fears … other adults.

7. Teenagers experience moments … tremendous elation or black despair.

8. You are no longer teased, punished or ridiculed … heartless adults.

9. Teenagers may rebel violently … parental authority.

10. And if on occasion, you are teased, you know how to deal … it.

6.1.31 Задайте вопросы к выделенным словам:

1. Adults choose the clothes their children will wear, the books they will read and the friends they will play with.

2. The essential difference between manhood and childhood is the same as the difference between independence and subjection.

3. Critical adults may draw unflattering conclusions about your character.

4. Children often suffer from terrible, illogical fears.

5. Illogical fears are the result of ignorance and inability to understand the world around them.

6. Adults can share their fears with other adults.

7. Children invariably face their fears alone.

8. The most painful part of childhood is adolescence.

9. Teenagers may rebel violently against parental authority.

10. They feel shy, awkward and clumsy.

6.1.32 Задайте альтернативный и разделительный вопросы к следующим предложениям:

1. It’s about time somebody exploded that hoary old myth about childhood being the happiest period of your life.

2. Childhood’s greatest moments can’t be compared with the sheer joy of being an adult.

3. Mothers and fathers are kindly but absolute dictators.

4. This is an adult world.

5. Critical adults may draw unflattering conclusions about your character.

6. You had to eat disgusting stuff that was supposed to be good for you.

7. Children often suffer from terrible, illogical fears.

8. There is a complete lack of self-confidence during adolescence.

9. Adolescents are over-conscious of their appearance and the impression they make on others.

10. When you grow up, the world opens up before you.

6.1.33 Прочитайте данные высказывания и укажите, какие из них не соответствуют содержанию текста, исправьте их:

1. Childhood is the happiest period of your life.

2. Adults always ask children for their opinion.

3. Children are part of the adult world.

4. Adults always know what their children want.

5. Children never have fears.

6. Adolescence is the most pleasant time of the childhood.

7. Adolescents feel sure of themselves.

8. When you grow up, everything changes.

9. Heartless adults always tease, punish and ridicule teenagers.

10. You are ridiculed because you’ve succeeded to come up to some theoretical standards.

6.1.34 Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What hoary old myth should somebody explode?

2. Why don’t adults ask children for their opinions?

3. Why do children have to be manipulated?

4. Who observes every moment of your life?

5. What do children often suffer from and why?

6. How do adults cope with their fears?

7. How do children face their fears?

8. What is the most painful part of childhood?

9. Why do teenagers rebel against parents?

10. When does a relief come?

6.1.35 Закончите предложения в соответствие с содержанием текста:

1. Childhood may certainly be … .

2. Children don’t have opinions, or if they do … .

3. Mothers and fathers are kindly but … .

4. Think of the years at school: the years spent living in constant … .

5. Every movement you make is observed by … .

6. No matter how kind and loving adults may be, children often suffer from … .

7. But the most painful period of childhood is … .

8. Adolescents are over-conscious of … .

9. Teenagers experience moments of … .

10.Suddenly you regain your … .

6.1.36 Переведите предложения на английский язык:

1. Давно пора разрушить старый миф о том, что детство – самое счастливое время.

2. Взрослые не спрашивают мнение у детей.

3. Они выбирают одежду детям, книги для чтения и друзей.

4. Дети не должны вторгаться в жизнь взрослых.

5. Наблюдая за поведением детей, взрослые делают нелестные заключения по поводу их характера.

6. Дети часто страдают от ужасных страхов.

7. Детские страхи – это результат невежества и неспособности взрослых понять мир детей.

8. Самый болезненный период детства – это переходный возраст.

9. Чувства обострены, а сердца легко разбиваются.

10. Когда ты вырастаешь, взрослый мир открывается перед тобой.