Ukrainian teenagers spend most of their time at school. They begin their study at the age of 6-7 and finish it at the age of 17. Like teenagers all over the world, Ukrainian teens love to chat. Nearly all of them have mobile phones now. Our teens are so similar and so different. They want to go their own way but find it difficult to be responsible. They express their self-identity in clothes, hairstyle and slang. They smoke, drink alcohol and even take drugs believing that it’s the route to independence. They argue with their parents and teachers and believe that only coevals can understand them. In fact, parents aren’t so strict now as they used to be in the past and many young people have a considerable amount of freedom. But they still need somebody to hear them and open their hearts to. Parents are often too busy with earning money and can’t give their children enough attention and understanding. That’s why children often find idols among famous singers, sportsmen, actors and politicians. Teens go to disco clubs and are crazy about music. They are interested in studying foreign languages and can operate on computer. They are crazy about skateboarding. They like to gather in smaller or larger companies usually called “tusovka”, where they walk together, joke and discuss different problems of life, especially personal relations and school life. They like to celebrate holidays and birthdays together. Ukrainian teenagers learn to draw, play different instruments, knit or make things of wood or metal; they attend sport sections and are fond of swimming, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, athletics and many others. Ukrainian teens like to wear fashionable clothes and to decorate themselves with tattoos and earrings. So, Ukrainian teenagers are like all other children in the world. They are talented, creative and dream of a highly-paid job. They aren’t afraid of risk because they have nothing to lose. They are romantic and skeptical. They are sincere and rude, honest and impolite... But they are the future of our country!
