1) Translate the following words and word-combinations into Russian and use them while discussing the article.

To try reason; to be recommended in childcare manuals/ self-help books; to ban/ reintroduce corporal punishment; chastisement; to put the assailant in court; death/ to die at the hands of smb (parents); to leave psychological scars; beyond the interference of the state; the right should remain with the parents; the last resort; on a regular basis; day in, day out; to bring into line with UN demands; to tackle classroom disorder; a common occurrence

2) Discuss the following.

1. What makes banning corporal punishment of children such a debatable question in England?

2. What arguments are usually put forward in favour of corporal punishment? Why do you think smacking is normally regarded as the last resort to make a child behave properly?

3. Speak about arguments against corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children.

4. Express your own opinion on the problem tackled in the article.

5. Speak about the way you were disciplined in the family and way you are going to bring up your own children?

10. Read the following article and do the assignments below.

TAKING ITS TOLL

Far more British teenagers than previously thought of inflicting injuries on themselves because of the feelings of frustration and social inadequacy, according to research by mental health experts. A survey published by the Priory, which specializes in treating mental health problems and addictions, finds that as many as one in five girls between the ages of 15 and 17 has harmed herself. Over 900,000 adolescents (15%) have been so miserable that they have considered suicide. Over 800,000 have self-harmed.

The survey of 1,000 young people aged 12-19 entitled “Adolescent Angst” found “unacceptably high” levels of mental distress, associated with chastisement, bullying and domestic violence, as well as evidence that a lot of teenagers were pressed into sex at a young age and therefore contemplated suicide. Although it has been known for some time that Britain has the highest levels of self-harm in Europe and that young girls are more prone to the behaviour than boys, it was previously thought that, at most, one in 10 British teens indulged in the practice.

“Thirty years ago self-harm was a rarity, but it seems that today it’s a way for many young people who feel like failures to relieve their psychological distress,” says Dr. Dylan Griffiths, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Priory Ticehurst house Hospital, East Sussex. “The problem is that self-harming is addictive. Once you start it can be difficult to stop.” The practice releases natural opioids which can be incredibly addictive.

British teenagers are suffering unprecedented levels of distress. According to Childline, the number of youngsters calling its helpline about self-harm has risen by 20% in the last 10 years. The Samaritans group found self-harm was a key indicator of suicidal tendencies, with 50% of young people who commit suicide having committed a deliberate act of self-harm in the previous year.

Experts say that the reasons for self-harm vary. For some teenagers, the behaviour may be linked to a general sense of not fitting in. For others it is associated with family breakdown, sexual abuse, or violence at home. However, according to Dr. Grriffiths, the increased reports of self-harm are also a reflection of contemporary consumer society and the media, with their emphasis on pleasure, fame, celebrity and “instant gratification”.

“Part of the problem is that we have a must-have culture,” Dr. Griffiths says. “British society is much more relaxed than it was 50 or 60 years ago. The controls that the family, the Church and other institutions traditionally exerted have vanished, leaving the young as casualties. There is no one telling young people that rewards come to those who work and wait. Our culture doesn’t encourage, at least, waiting – as a consequence frustration is the norm, and teens handle this by engaging in high-risk behaviours, involving sex, drugs, crippling relationships and self-harm. Cutting yourself may be one way of relieving that tension and also punishing the people, like your parents, who are not giving you enough support.”

Assignments