So much of our media coverage of the Middle East focuses on war, the politics of religion, and battles over territory and undoubtedly colors our understanding of what daily life is like for people in this region. Teenagers, no matter where they live in the Middle East, are determined to live their teen years with hope and dignity, but they are often challenged by the charged political turmoil of the region. The importance of religion in the cultures of Iran, Israel, and Palestine is often a determining factor in the daily life of a teenager. The degree to which a family is secular or religious, the social status of a teen's family, and whether a teenager lives in a rural or urban setting seem to be the most significant factors.

You will be assigned topics affecting the daily life of teenagers in three countries in the Middle East. By comparing and contrasting the experiences of individuals in these areas students will gain a clearer, more realistic picture of what life is like for people there.

Look at the photograph below. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

On the Ben Yehuda pedestrian mall in Jerusalem. Photo by Moshe Milner. Courtesy of the Government Press Office, State of Israel.

• What does this photograph suggest about this family's shopping trip?
• How might the children's behavior be affected by the presence of this man's weapon?

Use the World Cultures Today articles listed below to research the experiences of teenagers in your country. As you read, keep your topics and point of view in mind. Remember that your diary entry should include specific details about family life, school, and a typical day. Along with your diary entry, you may wish to include pieces of dialogue, parts of songs, or sketches that illustrate your subject.

Use the 3-Column Chart to organize your information. Write Family Life, Schooling, and Typical Day at the top of each column. Place specific facts and examples in the columns, under the appropriate heading.

As you write your diary entry, remember to use the first-person point of view. Include facts and sensory details that evoke the reality of teen life in your country. You might include information about such topics as dating, homework, school uniforms.

Your teacher will use these questions to assess your writing:

• Did your diary entry include specific facts and cultural details from the research?
• Did you use the first-person point of view, incorporating experiences of one specific character?
• Did you use elements of setting as well as sensory details?
• Did you make clear connections to the topics you were assigned?