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The problem of the generation gap

A new generation has come of age, shaped by a revolution in technology and dramatic events both at home and abroad. They are Generation Next, the group of young adults who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change.

Gen Nexters are self-confident, self-dependent, they are risk-takers. They are kept abreast with our fast-changing world. They follow the latest inventions, new trends, they try to keep pace with modern technology. Aside from communicating in cyberspace, the internet has become a way for people to connect face-to-face. They use technology and the internet to connect with people in new and distinctive ways. Text messaging, instant messaging and email keep them in constant contact with friends.

People of new generation are very self-assured, they have a very positive view of their abilities and opportunities. An overwhelming majority of Gen Nexters believe in planning ahead for life. They think that when a person reaches the mid-20s, it is important for them to have a good plan for what they are going to do with the rest of their lives.One of the biggest concerns for young people is education. Young people worry about their jobs and careers: finding a job, career advancement, job security and job satisfaction as their most important problem. This is less of a worry for older generation.But unfortunately this reoccupation about job is connected with their life goals. A majority of young people says that “getting rich” is the main goal of most people in their age group; that nowadays one of the generation’s top goals is fortune and fame. Roughly eight-in-ten people say that for their generation getting rich is either the most important, or second most important, goal in their lives.

Nowadays Nexters are somewhat more focused on personal or internal issues than are older generations. The issue in their own life is the most important problem for the new generation; only a few bother about things related to the outside world.

Young people also lag behind in their interest in politics and their engagement in the political process. Young people are not so interested nowadays in keeping up with politics and national affairs than were young people a generation ago. One can hardly hear a young man saying that “It’s my duty as a citizen to vote.” And if for example our parents and grandparents usually had political leaders as their heroes, nowadays young people choose pop stars, models or other representatives of public life for their idols.

There are large gaps across age groups when it comes to news consumption. Young people read the newspaper, watch television news and listen to news on the radio at much lower rates than their older counterparts. Older people also are slightly more focused on national and international problems than are young people. Only few are interested in such issues as the economy, the war in Iraq, terrorism, gas prices, and politics.In their free time, Gen Nexters are engaged in some activities that are not necessarily good for their health. Alcohol, cigarettes, illegal drugs now play an inseparable item of people’s life. Young people are bigger drinkers and smokers than the older generation. Large majorities believe that casual sex, binge drinking, illegal drug use and violence are more prevalent among young people today than was the case 20 years ago.



Generation Next clearly stands out in its progressive approach to some of the major social issues of the day. They are very tolerant on social issues ranging from immigration and race to homosexuality and the role of women. Nexters have liberal views that reflect the changing world in which they have come of age.

The population as a whole has become more tolerant on racial issues. In the late 1980s, only

44% of white Americans agreed with the statement, “I think it’s all right for blacks and whites to date each other.” By 2003, 72% agreed with this statement. Young people have consistently been more accepting of interracial dating, however, and the gap between young and old has increased over time.

Music in our life

 

Music is an inseparable item of our world; the world of nervous breakdowns, continuous tension, competitive atmosphere. Music helps us to relax, to release tension, to buck ourselves up. Music reaches our inmost feelings, helps to express our thoughts, our mood. Music connects people of different walks of life. It unites people all over the world.

Great Britain has made an outstanding contribution to the development of world music, no it’s included in the treasury of European music.

The most important annual classical music festival makes up The Promenade Concert. It was fist conducted in London in 1894 by Sir Henry Wood. His aim was to popularize classical music and encourage youngsters to get to know the greatest masters of the classical repertory. It was held in informal atmosphere, the seats were cheap and the crowds flocked to attend.

The last night of the Proms is a special occasion. It’s become a British institution. The atmosphere is electric, people listen rapt. The Albert Hall is filled to capacity with thousands of people. One of the pieces traditionally played at the Last Night is “Pomp and Circumstance” written by E. Elgar. Under the title “Land of hope and glory” (Benson) it revived as an immensely patriotic hymn – a kind of alternative National Anthem.

Every season is attempted to give classical music mass appeal reaches new highs. The Proms is undoubtedly the longest lasting success in promoting classical music, though it’s not clear how far the social spread has broadened over the years. The general outline is as follows: the Promenaders are younger than other concert audiences, male outnumber female (the same balance of the sexes as the population as a whole). The Proms are broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and recorded highlights are featured on the World Service.

Alongside professional music, Britain has a long folk-music tradition. The most popular tunes were handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.

Scotland is represented by bagpipe bands, brass band is more characteristic of England. Music is always to be found in the village church where the choir sings the old hymns. In the pub one may meet a singer of old songs or a troupe of dancing Morris men.

It’s an open secret that the best choral music is to be found in Wales. Their bards were famous in the ancient world and they still meet every year at the “Eisteddfod world’s festival”.

London is one of acknowledged centers of classical music. Everyday English and international musicians perform in the concert halls and opera houses.

The London underground is one more place where music is flourishing. One may well come across young “buskers”. They look modern enough but don’t be mistakenly taken in people like them have been playing in the streets of Britain ever since history began.

As far as the music in Belarus concerns, we have long musical traditions that spring from Belarusian villages. Unfortunately nowadays our villages fall into decay. That’s why Belarusian traditions and Belarusian music are on the decline too. Today young generation prefer foreign music to Belarusian, there is hardly any Belarusian group that can figure prominently. Unfortunately abroad nobody knows any Belarusian group. That’s why in order to revive and to popularize Belarusian music, our president decided to promulgate some laws. And one of them concerns our radio stations. Today they broadcast 60% of Belarusian music on the radio. They organize a lot of concerts, festivals, music awards. And now we can admit the fact that people’s interest to music has increased. So we can say that the policy of our government is on the right track.


Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1288


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