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IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Children in some parts of the world today have less responsibility compared to children in the past.

Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1: [Overall, it is a negative development.]
Children in certain regions of the world nowadays bear less obligation when compared to their counterparts in the past. While some people view this change positively, others perceive it as a negative change. From my perspective, I believe that it is a negative change because children need to be responsible for their actions, which will prepare them for adulthood.

Firstly, having responsibilities teaches children discipline and accountability. When children are given chores, such as cleaning their room or doing laundry, they learn to take ownership of their actions and become accountable for them. This sense of responsibility can help them in the future when they are required to take care of themselves, their families, and even their careers. For example, a study conducted in the United States found that children who were given responsibilities at an early age were more successful in their careers and were more likely to be independent adults.

Secondly, having responsibilities also helps children develop self-esteem and confidence. When children are given tasks and responsibilities, they feel trusted and valued. This sense of accomplishment builds their self-esteem and confidence, which will help them face challenges in the future. For instance, in many Asian and African countries, children are given the responsibility of herding cattle or taking care of their younger siblings. This responsibility teaches them valuable life skills, such as leadership and decision-making, which help build their confidence.

In conclusion, children having less responsibility compared to the past is a negative shift. Giving children responsibilities teaches them discipline, accountability, self-esteem, and confidence. As such, parents, teachers, and society at large should give children more responsibilities to prepare them for the future.

Model Answer 2: [Opinion: Overall, it is a positive development.]
How much responsibility a child takes nowadays and whether modern children have fewer obligations than in the past is disputable. While youngsters in some countries still take on several responsibilities, many, in other countries, are busy with their education, sports and hobbies. I believe that the way children take responsibility in the modern world has changed over time, mostly as a positive development.

To begin with, the social, economic and family structure in the past, in most countries, forced parents to distribute responsibilities among children. However, with the change in the family structure and social norms, people, these days, want their children to excel in education and other creative fields rather than taking care of the house chores. With the rise of the nuclear family and one-or-two-children family policy, parents now focus on children's education, unlike in the past. Therefore, they are not expected to earn money or do household work in a well-to-do family. With the increasing literacy rates, gender equality, women empowerment and a better lifestyle, the trend has more positive outcomes, without a doubt.

Moreover, the decreased burden of responsibilities allows children to explore a wider array of interests and hobbies, fostering creativity and critical thinking. In the past, many children were confined to specific roles and duties that left little room for personal exploration. Today, with reduced household and labour demands, children have the liberty to engage in extracurricular activities, pursue diverse interests, and develop a broader skill set.

To conclude, these days, we want our children to be the best scorers, the best athletes, and outshine in everything they do, unlike in the past when parents wanted assistance from their offspring to support the family. Thus the changes have brought numerous positive outcomes, and the move was inevitable with the paradigm shift of social structure.

Sample Answer 3: [Opinion: It is a postive change.]
In today's world, there is a growing trend of children having less responsibility compared to children in the past. Personally, I believe it is a positive development for several reasons that I shall outline in this essay.

Firstly, reducing the burden of responsibility on children allows them to focus more on their education and personal development. In the past, children had to work from a young age to support their families, which often hindered their education and limited their opportunities in life. With fewer responsibilities, children can now dedicate more time and energy to learning, exploring their interests, and developing their skills.

Additionally, having less responsibility can reduce stress and promote mental health in children. The pressures of having to work and provide for their families can take a toll on children's mental and physical health, leading to stress and burnout. By having less responsibility, children can have more time to relax, play, and enjoy their childhood, which can lead to improved mental well-being.

Furthermore, as society evolves, the responsibilities of children may shift from manual labour to more intellectual pursuits, such as technology or innovation. By reducing their workload, children can have more time to explore these new fields and potentially contribute to the advancement of society. For example, in countries like Japan and South Korea, there has been a shift towards encouraging children to pursue interests in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This has led to the development of programmes such as coding classes and robotics clubs for children. Many children are doing excellent in these fields and getting ready for their future education and career.

In conclusion, I believe that the reduction of responsibilities on children is a positive development. It provides them with the opportunity to focus on their education, promotes mental health, and contributes to the advancement of society.

• IELTS Essay
• Writing Task 2
• IELTS Essay Sample
• Positive or Negative Development

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