Family

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Troubled Teens Lesson 1
In a parent’s shoes

IGCSE Global Perspectives

Learning objectives
I can empathise with other perspectives
I can comment on spin in a perspective

I can reflect on how sources have developed

my personal perspective
 You are a parent of a teenager who has
Imagine this scenario become rebellious and defiant. They have
started keeping bad company and
experimenting with alcohol (and other
drugs, you suspect). They are doing badly
at school and getting into trouble with the
police.

You are a caring parent and you never

thought this would happen to you. You are
afraid that if you can’t straighten out your
child they will end up in prison or worse.
The situation seems desperate; you have
tried every way you know to discipline
them, but nothing has worked.
What issues cause parents to seek a “last resort” solution?
When we research an issue we need to
identify its causes and effects.

Listen to the opening of a documentary

about children being sent away from Britain
to a “wilderness therapy program” in the
USA. What behaviours have contributed to
their parents’ despair?

Do you agree that all the behaviours are

bad?
A* Challenge: What is an issue?
Let’s continue our imaginary scenario:
Not all programmes for troubled teens
look so harsh.

A friend tells you that a “therapeutic

boarding school” located in a remote part
of the country specialises in reforming
“difficult teenagers” with strict discipline,
sport, therapy, and a healthy lifestyle. You
watch this advert for the school. It is
expensive, but you are willing to take out
a large loan if it will help your child. Will
you enrol your child there?
 Walk to a position in the room that shows your opinion

I’d consider it, but I

I’d send my troubled
might not send them to
teenager there,
such a place,
because...
because...

Classroom Wall
Classroom Wall

YES NO

I definitely wouldn’t
I’d send my teenager
send my child to a place
there provided...
like that because...
How do marketers “spin” their message?
spin
a special point of view, emphasis, or
interpretation presented for the purpose
of influencing opinion
Watch the advert again. List some
ways it makes the school seem
attractive.
A* challenge: Can we trust a
marketer’s perspective?
How might a parent test the
claims in this video? Consider
the types of information,
sources of evidence and
methods they might use.
A national cultural perspective
In the USA it is traditional for even well-
behaved kids to be sent away to summer
camp. In this song, how does Allan Sherman
make comedy out of the gap between a child’s
perspective and an adult’s?
1. Do we believe the child’s claims about
the dangers of Camp Granada?
2. Why does he suddenly change his mind
about the camp?
3. What is the joke about a child’s A* Challenge: Humour like this
perspective? seems innocent enough, but how
might it cause problems?
 Exit ticket
I think it
Reconsider your personal perspective
depends on...
on the initial scenario. Has anything from
the sources or discussions changed your
mind, or confirmed your opinions?
My partner
Write a short paragraph. Include your made the
reasons. point that...

At first, I ...but then I When I heard

thought... realised... that...
 IGCSE GP
Out of the Box
from

www.igcseglobalperspectives.net