American and Uzbek youth

Many teenagers are making positive, important contributions to their communities, schools and society. Millions of young people in the United States are preparing for the future in exciting ways. Many teenagers are studying for college

entrance exams or working at part-time jobs after school and on the weekends. Others are

volunteering at hospitals, helping the handicapped, exhibiting projects at science lairs

or programming computers.

Teenagers in America Schools provide American students with much more than academic education. Students team about the world through various school-related activities. More than 80 percent of all students participate in student activities, such as sports, student newspapers, drama clubs, debate learns, choral groups and bands. What are the favorite sports of American young people? They prefer football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, tennis, soccer, boxing, hockey, track and golf.

Many youths are involved in community service organizations. Some are active in church and religious group activities. Others belong to youth groups such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. About three million girls aged six lo 17 years old belong to Girl Scouts, for example. They learn about citizenship, crafts, arts, camping and other outdoor activities.

During their leisure time, students spend much time watching television. They also listen to music on the radio and tape players. The average American teenager listens to music on the radio about three hours every day. Without a doubt, rock-and-roll music is the favorite of teenagers in the United States. 

Most American youths look forward to their future with hope and optimism. Teenagers place a high priority on education and careers. While filled with high hopes about the years before them, today’s students are not laboring under any misconceptions about what they must do to realize their aspirations. They admit that hard work lies ahead and claim they are willing to make the sacrifices needed to reach their goals

This initiative of the head of state became the logical continuation of the work to provide for the interests of the upcoming generation that was started since the early years of Uzbekistan’s independence. After all, the youth accounts for the most significant part of the Uzbek society. At the moment, 10 million 400 thousand young people at the age of up to 18 years old, or about 40% of the country’s total population, reside in Uzbekistan, and at the age of up to 30 years old – over 17 million people, which makes up 64% of the population.

The strategically important tasks have been consistently realized in the Uzbek society for over the past 20 years of the country’s independence. They have played a significant role in ensuring so that the youth gains the deep knowledge, forms the professional skills, and fully manifests its talents.

At the early years of independence the “Umid” Foundation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to support the study of talented youth abroad, as well as the “Ustoz” Republican Foundation have been established in Uzbekistan to assist the young talented scientists, pedagogues, and students to step onto the level of advanced scientific research and high technologies. Later, those foundations were brought together into the “Istedod” Foundation of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to raise the qualification of perspective young pedagogues and scientific cadres.

Youths in Uzbekistan like to spend their free time sporting, listening to music, reading books, travelling and playing on computer. Walking and cycling also popular leisure activities among youths. Many young people like watching TV and visiting Concert Programs. They also help to their parents with home gardening and house works. Sport competitions are most popular among young people in Uzbekistan.

1. What do you know about American youths? 2. What do American youths like to do in their free time? 3. What do American youths prepare for their future life? 4. Do Uzbek young people like sport? 5. How Uzbek youths spend their free time? 6. What “Umid” and “ Ustoz” foundations are?