Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
P1:
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole.
However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.
P1 Notes:
work on
a volunteer basis = unpaid work = unpaid job
young people = teenagers
be beneficial for
as a whole
force sb to do sth
P2:
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day.
When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities.
They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
P2 Notes:
without being given the added responsibility
spare time = free time
be just as demanding as
on top of
encourage someone to do sth or to do sth
leisure activity
ahead of
P3:
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work.
In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will.
Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children.
Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
P3 Notes:
at the same time
I do not believe that
society has anything to gain from
oblige sb to do sth = force sb to do sth
I would argue that
it goes against that
the values of a free and fair society
do something against their will
lead to
resentment
this is surely
P4:
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.
P4 Notes:
compulsory = obligatory = necessary
Similar Topic
Some people believe that unpaid community service should be a compulsory part of high school programmes. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
P2:
There are several reasons why I would argue against having compulsory community services for secondary school students.
Firstly, the school curriculum is already full with important academic subjects, such as maths, science, and languages. For example, I remember having an extremely busy timetable when I was at high school, and it would not have been possible to add to it.
Secondly, students' performance in other subjects would be affected if valuable study time were taken by charity work or neighborhood improvement schemes.
Finally, I believe that teenage students would be reluctant to take part in any programme of obligatory work, and this could lead to poor motivation and even bad behaviour.
P2 Notes:
There are several reasons why
I would argue against
curriculum
academic subjects
extremely busy timetable
students' performance
it would not have been impossible to add to it.
be reluctant to
take part in = participate in
poor motivation
P3:
On the other hand, the opportunity to do voluntary community service could be extremely positive for high school students.
By making these programmes optional, schools would ensure that only motivated students took part. These students people would gain valuable experience in an adult working environment, which could help them to build their self-confidence and enhance their skills.
Having such experience and skills on skills on their CVs could greatly improve school leavers' career prospects. For example, a period of voluntary experience might impress a university admissions officer or a future employer.
P3 Notes:
voluntary community service
extremely
positive
by making programme optional
ensure
build their self-confidence
enhance their skill
school leavers' career prospects
a period of
might
impress a university admissions officer
