- SERIOUS MATTERS -

LET'S GET SERIOUS

There are a range of issues facing young people today. With your pair school, choose an issue you would like to investigate. Possible topics might include:-

• teenage pregnancy
• drugs and alcohol
• peer pressure and "fitting in"
• violent crime
• depression and disillusionment, teenage suicide
• concern for the future of the planet and its people
• concerns about getting a job
• the cost of education, the cost of living

Share your views and ideas about the topic. What ways have young people, the local community and the nation come up with to tackle the problem?

What services are provided in each country to support young people with the issue?

What are the statistics on these problems? Use the web to find out what the statistics are and what the differences are between NZ and Britain. Can you come up with any reasons why the statistics are different from one country to the other?

What do you see as possible solutions to the problem?

National Curriculum areas covered:
New Zealand - Level 4
English	Social Studies	Health Education
Listening 1,4,5 Speaking 1,4,5 Reading 2,4,5 Writing 2,3,5,6 Presenting 1,4	Strand A 1,2	Finding out about helping agencies 1,2,3,4
Britain - Stage 3
English	History
Speaking/Listening 1abcd, 2ab, 3ab Reading 1ef, 2bc Writing 1abc, 2acd, 3abc	Study Unit 4 no. 2