Childhood and Adolescence Childhood is the time of playing: playing with our brothers and sisters, playing with

toys, playing games in the park or with friends in the neighbourhood. Children love to make believe and pretend all sorts of things: that they are married grown-ups, that they are pirtes or superheroes ar animals, whatever. Its a beautiful, imaginary, care-free world children live in. As children begin to grow up, they put away their toys, and relationships to other adolescents become more important. Having one good friend, being part of a tight-knit circle of friends, or even joining a gang are vital to teenagers. Getting into the wrong circle of friends often leads to problems, not only with parents but sometimes even with the law. These are the years of growing pains: teenagers rapidly grow both physically and emotionally , and it often hurts badly. It is a time of rebellion against adult authority parents and teachers can be the enemy as the teenager tries to discover independence and become his/her own person. It is a time of conflict and confusion, but also of great excitement and expectations for the future as an adult. Marriage One evening, although he was nervous, Joe decided to propose to his girlfriend, Linda. She accepted his proposal, they became engaged and he gave her a ring. After a year they had saved enough money to get married (they were both over 18 so they did not need their parents consent). Some people have a religious ceremony with a priest, but Joe and Linda decided on a civil ceremony in a registry office. Ont he day of the wedding Linda, the bride, was very calm, but Joe, the bridegroom, was nevous. Afterwards, at the reception, speeches were made and the guests drank a toast to the happy couple, who finally left for a honeymoon in Spain.