Social Skills

	Social Skills
	C: Welcome to this ADS discussion. Today we’re talking about problems of loneliness and crime rate. Recent research shows that loneliness and crime rate are correlated and both have been growing up between 2004 and 2005. So we want to pay close attention to these problems. Today we are so happy to invite Professor C.K. of Psychology department from the University of London to tell us how to solve these two problems.
	P: The major reasons for people to be lonely are three: 1. People work too long hours that they don’t have much time to be with other people. 2. It’s easy for people who overwork to develop pressure so that they can’t relax themselves. 3. People don’t have correct social skills. So it will make them not to talk with one another. It is the major reason why loneliness is rising.
	C: Now a student wants to ask a question.
	S1: I come from City University and study business. How can we overcome loneliness?
	P: We can offer social skills education to students, because social skills can make students learn many things, such as meeting more people, talking more open- mindedly, and learning to control emotion when interacting with people.
	S1: Workholism also affects our social relationships since we hardly have time to be with people if we work overtime.
	P: Government should make policies to regulate hours for workers to finish work and hours to recreation. Employers will be against the law if they ask employees working too long hours. Besides, employers should encourage workers to join activities after work such as parties or picnics so that workers will not be alone after class and feel depressed because of loneliness.
	S1: When are these educational programs offered to train students to interact with people?
	P: It’s a good question! Education is the most useful and easy way to improve the problem. For instance, teaching youngsters how to communicate with people in manners of articulation, correct information and politeness can reduce conflict among teenagers.
	C: Good idea! However, our next topic is about the Crime Rate. Recent information shows that crime rate is rising in 2005 and 2006. I believe Professor C.K. is able to provide us interesting information on this topic.
	P: Many students are nervous about getting employed, because it means responsibility and how useful one is. Young people are encouraged to study hard at school so that they will have a bright future. They are brainwashed that knowledge is power and knowledge is the most important thing to success. But they have no idea of what is a good job.
	S2:Yes, what is a good job?
	P: Some people keep a job that have high pay and have good status in the society. However, they do not agree that it is a good job. If you are not interested in the work you’re doing, you are in a nightmare. So a good job is that we can make progress and we are interested in.
	S2:Professor, it seems there is a relation between unemployment and crime rate.
	P: Right! When people cannot earn a living, they might have to do something else to live such as cheating, stealing or robbery. So, if we want to decrease the crime rate, what we should do is to decrease unemployment. There are some social security programs we should offer to those who are temporarily unemployed such as unemployment compensation and unemployment insurance. If we can provide perfect social security, crime rate will be decreased.
	C: Thanks for Professor C.K.’s brilliant opinions and suggestions. Our ADS seminar will meet next Wednesday. The topic will be about modern technology and work trend. Welcome to join us and see you all again then.
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	By 周賢, 趙毅雄, 郭璦玲