There are so many opportunities for self-development and self-knowledge of a person in our modern world ... But looking at the generation of the twenty first century I can’t  help  being  surprised because these opportunities are not often used. The level of youth’s development leaves much to be desired. I do not want to say, that in our country there are no educated, clever and talented teenagers who want to get  to the  top and reach something in theirs lives. They fortunately are, and each person is unique and invaluable. But in my opinion  many youngsters  have no  opportunities for their  development  and  even more young people just do not want to realize themselves.  Why are they so indifferent?

 Let’s pay attention to youth leisure time.

 Spending free time depends on many factors, for example: age, parents, character, friends, health and many others... But first of all it depends on the place where you live:  in a large mega-city, a small town, a regional centre or in a desert village. The last one is worse. I live in a village and I do know, how difficult the life  is here , and what it is like  for youth.

 There are no proper conditions to realize him or herself, to have a rest, to have a good time with friends in a village.  There are no circles, art and musical studios, sports halls, etc. There is no even a club. Young people have  nothing to  do and as a result every  evening you can see the small companies of young girls and guys sitting on the benchers with a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other one.  Disgusting, isn’t  it?  But unfortunately, it is today's reality.

Talented people are everywhere! I am sure that many teenagers have unique musical, sport and art abilities! But where and  how  can they develop them? There is no  opportunity in a village and not everyone can afford leaving for a city because of lack of  money. Who is guilty in this situation? It is difficult to give an  answer. Many people, certainly, will say, "the state” which can’t provide young  generation with  proper  conditions. Probably I shall agree with it, but not completely. And  I am ready to  share my opinion with you.

 You can’t  but  agree with me that in cities even small ones  there are many places and institutions where young people can spend their free time. It can be a theatre, a cinema, sport halls, a house of culture, various studios and circles. Hence it is possible to make a conclusion, that  conditions for  youth leisure time  and  self - development is better in the  cities  and  towns . But is it really so? Let’s see.

I have  been living and  studying  for  about  a year and a half  in a small town Mikhailovka. I like this town very much!  There are beautiful streets, a fountain, the remarkable house of culture, many different cafes there. There is  a park which is  beautiful both in summer and winter there. And it seems youth should be pleased living in such a town as  Mikhailovka as it   gives them an opportunity to develop, to get acquainted with new interesting people... But it only seems so. And  here in the evenings   you can see the  same small companies of young girls and guys sitting on the benchers with a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other one.  So, the place  of  living has been changed  but the  situation  is  still the  same. Drinking alcohol for  bravery  before  going to  a  club or  disco has  become   a bad  habit. Sometimes  I  think that  it is next to impossible  to  meet a sober   person there and have  a   rest  and  fun  without spirits.

So, we are  coming back  to the question: who is guilty in this situation? In my opinion, nowadays youth wants nothing, many young people have no interests; some of them are simply broken by vital circumstances. So, I want to say that youth is partly guilty.

Of  course, I  am not  a pessimist and  I do not believe that our youth is so hopeless! I am pleased to say  that there are a lot of summer camps, where children and teenagers can not only have  rest, meet interesting people but also earn money, get experience in communication  with people. Young people are interested in this  work, because they can get  both life  experience and pocket money there. I wish there  were more places like   camps!   Youth needs to be involved in such activities, especially students . I think everybody  will be  happy  to  spend   a  couple  of weeks  or  even more in such  a  camp.

You see everyone should have a desire to get to the top in the life! As for me I never stop going  forward and   constantly  try  to  achieve  my  aims. One of them is to move to a big city and to study there. Then probably  to come back to my village  and  change  the life here. I know  it’s  difficult  to  reach  but  I am  sure  I have   already made   the  first  and   the right  step  of this not  easy  way: I’ve  entered    our teacher training college and  studying there  I  try to  do my  best.

 They say: it is not the places that grace the men, but men the places. You can live in a completely desert village and nevertheless work, study, develop yourself, be a modern personality... And you can live in a big city where there are so many interesting things and  you can  dissipate your life. It depends on a person, on his character. Everyone chooses.

 I have  already  chosen.