Iranian+Teens,+American+Teens-Two+Countries,+Two+Life+Styles

My Project on Tolerance is about the **difference in life style from the teenagers in the United States and teenagers in Iran**. People don't really see how different we have it from teenagers around the world. They have to grow up faster than we do.


 * Adolescence is a transitional between childhood and adulthood, but**
 * most Middle Eastern societies had no transition between childhood and adulthood.**

**Teens in Iran**
Iranians see themselves as having two distinct identities: "zaher" (public) and "batin" (private). When they are in public, they must accept modes of behavior. It is only with they are at home among their in their own environment that they feel free to be themselves. Religion is one of the most influential forces shaping the lives of people in the Middle East.

**Daily Routine (IRAN)**
They prey 3 times a day. They also go to school and come back mid-day. Some days the routine changes. They end up starting their week on Thursday, this is because Muslim Sabbath is on friday which is a day or rest and prayer. Family is very important to Iranians that they risk jail for their families honor.

**Teens in the US**
Teens don't have the same responsibilities as teens in Iran. Teens worry about gossip, relationships, abuse, sex, drugs, and alcohol. They get to live their lives however they want. They still have time to grow up.

**Daily Routine (US)**
The typical American child spends 7 hours a day, five days a week, 180 days a year in school. Kids spend a lot of time watching television, listening to music or playing computer games, but many also have after school jobs. Many teens work part-time on weekends or after school at fast-food restaurants, baby-sit for neighbors, or work in stores. Peer pressure, changing family conditions, and problems at school may lead to use of alcohol or drugs, the refusal to attend school, running away from home, teenage pregnancies or juvenile delinquency.


 * **Teens in the US** || **Teens in Iran** ||
 * **Age:** 13 - 19 || **Age:** There is no transition between the two ||
 * Teens are portrayed as reckless and rebellious || Middle Eastern Countries see it as immaturiy and imperfection ||
 * maturity level varies || Teens reach their maturity level at age 9 and boys at age 15 ||
 * Teens can marry at age 18 or younger with parental consent. || Teens can marry at age 9 ||
 * Family is usually around the world || Family visits often (Aunt's, Uncle's, cousins, grandparents) ||
 * Grow up and go to college, or in the military || Get up to their high school diploma or no diploma. ||
 * 60 percent are into drugs (Marijuana) || 13 percent are into drugs (Opium) ||
 * 18 yrs or older for a tattoo || Many teens have tattoo's; risk jail to honor relatives ||
 * 75% own a cell phone || one out of 16 people own a cell phone ||

__**Tolerance**__
Teens know that the world views Iran in a negative way. They can't control their own lives not because the can't wear what they want, but because where Iran stands to the rest of the world. Teens in Iran want a world where people can see their country as good and hopes for a better future. Teens in the United States don't pay attention to politics in their own country. Iranian teens are worried by the possibility of punishment, but American teens can just be who they are. Teens from Iran are taught to grow up faster then they need to. Iranians see themselves as not respected when all they really want is to be respected and seen as equal as everyone else.


 * Work Cited**

code "Execution of a teenage girl." //BBC News//. BBC, 27 July 2006. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . code code Mahdi, Ali Akbar. "Teens in the Middle East ." //The Iranian//. @The Iranian, 1 Aug. 2003. Web. 20 Mar. 2012. . code code Mozaffari, Nahid, and Ahmad Karimi Hakkak. //Strange Times, My Dear//. N.p.: Skyhorse Publishing, 2006. Print. code code //The secret life of Tehran teens//. BBC News, 2009. //BBC NEWS//. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . code code Seidman, David. //Teens in Iran//. N.p.: Compass Point Books, 2008. Print. code code "IRAN: Today's Iran as Seen Clearly." //Peace Women//. @PeaceWomen, 24 May 2011. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . code