TRIMESTRE 1 

Representing Yourself and Relating to Others

In modern society, images are everywhere. Photography, videos, and online pictures have become part of our daily lives. Thanks to new technologies, it is now easy to create and share our own portraits with anyone in the world. Fashion also plays a role in self‑expression: the way we dress can reveal something about our personality and identity.
However, these tools can be misused. Young people sometimes use social media and digital images to make fun of or embarrass others, which can harm relationships and reputations.

A. Self‑Portraits, Selfies, and Social Media

The self‑portrait is not a new art form, but it has gained new popularity with the rise of selfies. People take pictures of themselves everywhere, often with a smartphone, and post them online. This has made self‑representation an ordinary part of life. Many great artists have also worked with self‑portraits — in the USA and UK, painters like Norman Rockwell, William Hogarth, J. M. W. Turner, and Andy Warhol used the genre to explore identity in their own way.

A selfie is a digital self‑portrait, usually taken at arm’s length. In the last twenty years, the spread of social networks like Facebook and Instagram has made selfies extremely common, especially among young people. Selfies allow users to choose how they present themselves, often in a flattering way, and they can quickly share these images with others. This can create a feeling of community.
Yet, research shows that selfies can also damage real‑life relationships. Humorous or edited photos might be mistaken for reality. Social media also pushes people to fit a certain model or trend, which can lead to uniformity and loss of individuality.

B. Fashion

In the past, clothing styles were closely linked to social class and economic position. People’s outfits clearly indicated their status and role in society. In the 1960s, a big change came with ready‑to‑wear fashion, which made clothing cheaper and more accessible. Since then, fashion has been both a personal choice and a social signal.

Today, style can still influence how others see us. Social groups often have their own codes of dress, and people may feel pressure to match them. Stereotypes can lead to rejection of those who do not follow the norm. Social media reinforces these pressures by rewarding certain appearances and trends, while making others invisible.

C. Bullying and Cyberbullying

Bullying happens when someone uses threats, insults, or physical aggression to dominate or hurt others. It often targets people because of differences — such as social background, physical appearance, sexual orientation, or religion — but anyone can be a victim. Bullying can be repeated over time and have serious emotional consequences.

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online or through digital devices. This can include sending threatening messages, posting humiliating photos, or spreading false information. On social media, anonymous users may post lies or hurtful comments that damage a person’s reputation. In the UK, studies show that one in three young people have experienced cyberbullying.

Victims are encouraged to talk to adults, avoid responding to harmful content, and block the people involved. Schools, families, and social networks all have a role to play in protecting individuals and promoting respectful online behaviour.

47 Instagram Pose Ideas – Summary of the article

This blog post shares many ideas for Instagram photo poses. It is for people who want inspiration for their pictures, whether they are influencers, fashion bloggers, or just taking casual photos. The author explains that it took her time to feel confident in front of the camera, and that people should not stress too much about getting the “perfect” shot. The most important thing is to have fun and try different poses.

The list contains 47 different ideas. Many of them use simple movements or props (objects) to make the photo more interesting. Examples of props are handbags, hats, flowers, sunglasses, coffee cups, or even a mirror. Some poses are sitting down, some are standing, and others are in motion.

Some popular examples include:

• Mirror selfie sitting down – Sit in front of a mirror with one leg forward and take the photo.

• Fling that handbag – Move your bag to add motion to the picture.

• Hand on hip – A quick, confident pose.

• Head down – Good for showing off a hat.

• Walking away street pose – Act like you are walking away for a natural look.

• Leaning on a wall or door – A relaxed position.

• Crossing your legs – A classic, elegant pose.

• Looking over your shoulder – Adds mystery.

• Playing with your hair – Adds movement and softness.

• Smiling naturally – Sometimes the simplest poses work best.
  
  

Other ideas focus on fun and movement, such as:

• Kick one leg up

• Throw your hands in the air

• Fling your skirt or coat

• Hair in the wind

• Upside‑down pose – For example, lying on a bed with legs up.
  
  

The author also suggests location ideas: sitting on stairs, on a bench, or in the street. Doors, mirrors, and outdoor spaces can give extra style to your images.

The main advice is:

1. Try many different poses to see which ones feel natural.

2. Use props to make your pictures more creative.

3. Add movement to make photos look alive.

4. Relax and enjoy the process.
   
   

In short, these 47 ideas give many possibilities for creating interesting Instagram pictures. By mixing poses, props, and movement, anyone can make their photos more attractive and unique.

Crossing Generational Lines, Sharing Spaces, Living Together

Changing Demographics

Today, people often spend more years studying, work until a later age, and move from place to place more frequently. These lifestyle changes, along with migration and cultural diversity, have transformed relationships between generations.
The key issue is whether different age groups can still share experiences, learn from one another, and maintain strong bonds. This question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no — it requires careful thought.

A. Passing on Traditions

Keeping an ancient language or cultural practice alive usually depends on older members of the community.
For instance, in Ireland, the Irish language is spoken mainly by a small group. Elders are the ones who preserve traditional expressions, keep cultural practices alive, and encourage younger people to feel proud of their heritage. In some countries, there is a conscious effort to balance respect for tradition with openness to modern life.
Indigenous peoples, such as Native Americans, often fight to preserve their customs, with older generations playing a key role. In Canada, some communities remain attached to their roots despite holding Canadian citizenship and living in a multicultural society.

Sharing memories and know‑how is an essential part of this process. Adults and elderly people can pass down stories, recipes, skills, or ways of living that children will one day share with their own children. For example, a grandmother might hand down her recipe book to her granddaughter.
To encourage this type of exchange, intergenerational projects are sometimes created, aiming to connect people of different ages through shared activities and cultural transmission.

B. Role Models

Younger people often look up to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even great‑grandparents. These role models provide real‑life examples of resilience, decision‑making, and healthy lifestyle choices.
They offer a close‑up perspective on navigating life’s challenges, which younger generations can use as a guide as they move into adulthood.

C. Everyday Life Across Generations

There are many concrete situations in which generations support each other:

• Mutual Support: Grandparents often care for their grandchildren when parents are working. They might collect them from school, help with homework, or look after them when they are ill.
  
  

• Living Under One Roof: With ageing populations and high living costs, several generations sometimes share a home. This can strengthen family ties but may also create tension.
  
  

• Bridging the Generation Gap: Misunderstandings between age groups can be a challenge, but daily contact often leads to stronger emotional bonds.
  
  

• Single‑Parent Families: In many cases, grandparents become central figures in raising children. Barack Obama, for example, grew up with a very close relationship to his grandparents.
  
  

• Caring for the Elderly: As older people age, younger family members may see it as their duty to care for them. This can mean providing help at home rather than relying on retirement facilities, which are sometimes criticised for being impersonal.

A Millennial (also called Generation Y) is a person born roughly between 1981 and 1996.

They became adults in the late 1990s and 2000s.

They grew up during the expansion of the internet, mobile technology, and social media.

Compared to previous generations, they are generally very familiar with digital tools and have experienced rapid changes in technology, work, and culture.