6

--,

Embarrassing Mother!

1. Are your parents fashtonable?

2. What famous people are fashionable
even though they aren't young?
3. Are age and fashion related?

SITUATIOn

1--------------------------1

{\ Risa is 15. Her mother is now 40 years old. Risa thinks

her mother is acting strange. Why does Risa think this?

Marie: Risa, I just saw your mom, It's so cool' that she dresses that way. She looks so young and hip'.
l
Risa: Young? Hip? Ugh! She's so embarrassing ! She's driy
ing me crazy' with the way that she's always trying to
wear young clothes and talk to you guys about music
and stuff.
Marie: But I don't mind at all. I really like your mom.
She's fun.
Risa: It's not fun for me. It's been crazy ever since her 40th
birthday. She's been trying to act like she's our age or
something. It's just wrong. She wants to go shopping
at the same stores as me, and half the time I can't
even find my fashion magazines because she
"borrows" them.
Marie: Really?
Risa: She bleached' her hair, she started wearing these
little tops and short skirts. And now she says she
might get a tattoo'!
Marie: No way!
Risa: If she does that I seriously won't go out in public with
her anymore.
Marie: I think it's kind of cool that she wants to be your
friend. She's a lot better than my mom. With her it's
always 'Where are you going? When are you coming
back? Who are you going with?" I mean, I would love
it if she took me shopping or asked me for fashion
advice.
Risa: Yeah, but my mom has gone completely overboard'.
And my dad, too. I mean, he isn't any help. He says
she looks prettier and sexier than ever. 'You are just
like a good wine," he says, "more delicious with age."
EeeWW'WW!
Marie: Eeewwww!
Risa: It's disgusting!

1. What is Risa's mother's new fashion s*?

2. Wtry doesn't RISiI like it?

3. WI1aI does Mane thilk?


Read these three opinions.

James

Ray

Amber

Risa's mOLher il:l having prob~

lems. ~l1d Risa should try to
help her.

Ris.. docs not have to like what

Risa should encourage her

her mother is doing. but she

should accept it.

mother. ;lIld be Imppy 111m she is

having such fun.

Match the supporting statements with the opinions. Write the numbers in the boxes.
Each opinion has two supporting statements.

supporting statements
,
Sharing fashion styles i~ a great
oPl>Orlunity 10 enjoy doing thing!>
together.

Perhaps her m<Nhcr has a 101 of

her life. She need!'> !>upport.

Children !>hould re.... pecllheir parenls.

!olre~!'> in

4
Risa should take her mOl her to
!lee a doctor.

Ri,a ..hould not worry about what

her rriends lhink or her IIlOther.

Risa should be hilppy thut her

mother i:. enjo)'ing life.

Now compare with a classmate.

Work in a group of three. Ask your partners:

Do you agree wffh James? Do you agree with Amber? Do you agree with Ray?
Answer lor each person: I really agree / I agree / I disagree / I really disagree.

\IIUIIT IIR' YOUR YIILUU?

What would you do in Risa's situation? State your position and support your ideas,
Use new ideas in addition to the ideas above.
Your l'osltion

Supponing Slal"m"nlJi

( (LAtini"' Eh<UAnGln,)

Now lann groups and

discuss your position and
supporting slatements.

COMMUnlCIiTiOn IICTIYITY
Give a presentation about "Me when I'm 40," Talk about:

Personality

Free time actIvities

Lifesty1e

Fashioo
Responsibimies

Romance

ex.am~",'.,,=-;;,.,.,-.,;;-::-::--;:;:-=-==c::--==-=c::;c-,-.,-----When I am 40 I will be (the same... more carefuL).

I will (live .In,.. be married... work for...).
For fun, I will (go out WIth friends.~ play gotf... lake my famdy to.,