IELTS Writing Task 2/ Essay Topics with sample answer.
IELTS Essay # 221 - Parents should teach children how to be good members of society
- Details
- Last Updated: Monday, 11 December 2023 16:05
- Written by IELTS Mentor
- Hits: 597354
IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the place to learn this.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Model Answer 1:
The question of who should impart the values and skills necessary for children to become responsible members of society remains contentious. This essay will explore the contrasting perspectives on whether parents or schools hold the primary responsibility for instilling these qualities. I firmly advocate that while schools play a role, parents should predominantly undertake the task of teaching children how to be exemplary members of society.
Proponents of the idea that schools should bear this responsibility highlight the structured educational environment as an ideal setting for cultivating social values. Schools provide a formal curriculum that includes moral education programmes and extracurricular activities promoting teamwork and social harmony. For example, through civic education courses or community service initiatives, schools aim to instil values of citizenship and responsibility.
On the contrary, advocates of the viewpoint that parents should impart societal values argue that familial influences are crucial in shaping a child's character. Parents serve as the primary role models, imparting moral values, empathy, and social etiquette through everyday interactions. For instance, children observe and imitate the behaviour of their parents, learning essential traits like respect, kindness, and responsibility.
I believe that, while schools undeniably contribute to a child's social development, parents should play the central role in teaching children how to be good members of society. The familial environment offers continuous and personalized guidance crucial for character development. Parents serve as constant influencers, shaping a child's worldview and moral compass from an early age providing a strong foundation for their role in society.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding the role of parents versus schools in shaping good citizens highlights the significance of both influences. Nevertheless, the enduring and personalized guidance provided by parents creates a substantial impact on a child's development into a responsible and contributing member of society.
Model Answer 2:
The question of where children learn to become responsible members of society - at home or school, has sparked heated debate for generations. Some argue that parents, as the primary caregivers, hold the ultimate responsibility for shaping their children's moral compass. Others believe that schools provide the ideal platform for fostering social responsibility. I believe that schools play a more crucial role in instilling a sense of civic duty and social awareness in children.
Proponents of parental influence point to the undeniable impact of early childhood experiences. Parents set the first examples of behaviour and interaction, and their values and actions are readily absorbed by their children. For instance, parents who actively participate in community service projects are more likely to raise children who are empathetic and engaged in social causes. Additionally, parents can tailor their teachings to each child's individual needs and personality, leading to a more personalized and effective approach.
On the contrary, proponents of teachers guiding young children to become responsible citizens argue that schools offer several unique advantages that are difficult to replicate within the home environment. Firstly, schools provide a diverse social setting where children interact with individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives. This fosters tolerance, understanding, and the ability to navigate diverse social situations, which are crucial for responsible citizenship in a multicultural world. Secondly, schools employ trained professionals who possess expertise in child development and social-emotional learning. These educators can implement structured programmes and activities designed to explicitly teach social responsibility, including conflict resolution, empathy building, and ethical decision-making.
In conclusion, while parents undoubtedly play an important role in shaping their children's values, schools offer a unique and crucial environment for instilling a sense of social responsibility. Through their diverse student body, skilled educators, and structured programmes, schools can create a foundation for responsible citizenship, preparing children to become active and contributing members of society.
Essay Answer 3:
It is a widely held belief that parent should teach the children how to be good members of the society but there is a strong counter-argument amongst sections of people that school is the right place to teach children. However, I am of the opinion that this is a matter to be debated in light of several factors before any conclusion can be drawn.
It is generally believed that parents should guide the children on how to deal with society. This is mainly because children will obey the words of parents rather than the teachers. In many books, we can see that the parents are the first teachers. Parents should teach basic qualities like respect, obedience, honesty. Parents should teach those qualities at an early age so that their children can imbibe these qualities into them. For instance, my uncle’s daughter is just studying 5th class, but she respects the elderly people. Since their parents taught her the qualities which she must inculcate in her.
The education starts at home and the things learned from early childhood become part of someone's personality and characteristics. Hence, the things kids learn from their parents have a lasting impression on people. So parents should be careful about teaching their kids the moral values and responsibilities to society. Children by nature mimic their family members and thus parents can teach their kids how to be good members of the society by performing their duties correctly. Most children obey their parents more than anyone else and the instructions the parents give thus have better chances to be obeyed by children. Not all parents can spend sufficient time with children because of their ever-increasing business outside of homes and for those students teachers play an important role. Some students listen to the teachers they like and follow their instructions like written laws. Thus teachers can contribute towards teaching the morality and responsibilities to the children.
On the other hand, there are certain groups of people who vehemently contend that school is the right place to learn how to be good members of society. One of the reasons why this view is held is that nowadays children are not having sufficient time to spend with their parents because both of the parents might be employed or they may keep their child in a hostel. In school children will learn the education. The school must also include these qualities as a part of course structure so that the child may follow them.
Thus, it is evident from all discussion that, both the arguments carry equal strength and significance and neither can be refuted outright. I personally subscribe to the proposition that, school is the right place to learn how to be good members of society.
(Total Words: 462 | Written by Trilok)
Sample Answer 4:
As society has developed, different people have different opinions about how children should be taught the ways of living so that they can contribute their part and become good members of society. Some people think that parents should be leading from the front and some think that schools are the best place to teach these rules to the children. However, I think that parents should consider this as their responsibility instead of relying on the school to do this job.
Now let us discuss if parents do this job and become successful in carrying out this task. This will not only help their children to live a good life but also teach them the rules and provide them with the guideline how to behave with juniors, respect elders, deal with day to day matters, responding to difficult situations etc., which you cannot expect from the school to teach as school is basically associated with academics. Although they will teach children how to become good members and play their roles in the society, the time, attention, sincerity, and dedication which I think that can be played by the parents only.
Schools mostly teach academic lessons and punctuality to the students. They do not fully focus on moral values a child should learn and practice and in fact, they do not have sufficient scope to do so. Parents, on the other hand, have a good chance to do it. In many cases, the kids mimic the parents and thus the parents can make some examples to teach their kids. The kids mostly look at the teacher as some outsiders who would teach them the academic lesson, not personal values. Parents spent much more time with children than the teachers do. Teachers sometimes do not know the personal choices of students and thus can’t evaluate them perfectly. Not all teachers would take the responsibility to teach the students the responsibilities of a good member of society.
Schools cannot replace the role and responsibility of parents because it deals with a large number of children and each and every child has his/ her own state of mind, understanding level, thinking level and it is not possible for teachers to understand each and every child and teach him/her accordingly but the parents know their children by birth know his likes, dislikes, how he can understand etc. I would like to give my example that my parents always considered first their own role to teach me only academics lessons but also how to live life successfully as they have spent their lives and the mistakes that they have made should not be repeated by me.
In the end, I would like to conclude that parents should be the leading this part of this job and should not expect this role from the school and time will tell that their efforts will not go in vain and will not only help their children but also coming generations.
(Total Words: 462 | Written by Mubashir Noorani)
Essay Answer 5:
In today’s world, socialism and being a member of society is a crucial value in our life. Contributing positively to society is a target for everyone. Some people see that directing children to participate and being a member of the society is something that should be ensured by the parents’ duty, while another camp believes that it is a school’s task. Both sides of this debate will be analysed before drawing a conclusion.
On the one hand, assigning parents to teach their children to be the good members of the society is supported by some people. For example, parents may teach their children and guide them to assist poor people by providing the food prepared by their parents. This example shows how parents may take the lead to guide their children to be positive and valued in society. Therefore, this idea is supported by many. The parents are more close to the children and they can teach their kids the important aspects of being a good member of society. Most of the children mimic their parents’ activities and thus the parents have a greater role in setting good examples for their kids.
On the other hand, many believe that school plays a golden rule in children life. For instance, a school may prepare a campaign to their students to clean certain areas in their city. Such an attitude gives children practical experience in contributing to society. Thus, many argue that it would be better to leave this to the school. The teachers on behalf of the school have a big role to teach the students those responsibilities. Since students listen to their teachers’ suggestion and command, they are more likely to obey the things their teachers would teach. Finally, the curriculum and textbooks can include such topics to increase awareness among the students.
In conclusion, the debate will always remain between both camps for assigning this responsibility. In my opinion, schools should take this task on their shoulders as the children spend most of their daytime there.
[by - Ahmed ]
Essay Answer 6:
It is considered by some that parents should teach their children about the ways to be good and civilised members of society while others hold the opinion that these values should be taught by the school. However, in my opinion, I believe that parents and school both are equally important to instil moral values, among children, to be a good citizen.
On one hand, parents are the first teachers, and home is the first school where children learn about life lessons. Educating children about love, empathy, kindness, and socially acceptable behaviour is a must at home. In addition, children should be taught to help the needy members of the community because parents know their children well. Hence, they can teach their kids about social responsibilities effectively, which should not be ignored.
On the other hand, school is the place where children are taught skills on various subjects that help to be self-reliant. When children gain education and various skills in school, it will help them in future to become self-dependent. This will also empower them to contribute towards society using their skills. For example, educated children may help to teach alphabets and help to read and write, to illiterate members of the society. Thus, in my opinion, children should be taught to be socially responsible by parents as well as at school. When children get such education of skills, love, and kindness they can grow to become a helpful member of society.
In conclusion, the most effective method to help children to become morally and socially responsible part of a society is to teach them at home and also at school.
[by - Vikas Singtan ]
Model Answer 7:
In ancient societies, all children did not have access to education and in some parents did not teach to their children how to act. They wanted them to grow up as fast as possible to leave the family nest and go to work to bring money at home. In this period, education was not the core of people interest.
In our modern society, education has become one of the most important tools in countries development. Nowadays, this is not surprising to see a government spend millions of dollars in its educational programs such as creating schools or bringing technological materials. But today, one main question stays on hold. Is it school’s role to teach children how to be good members of society or it is parents role?
First, we will focus on this question and conclude with my own opinion. First of all, we all know that a child spends his/her first three years at home with the family before to enter school. For these three years, the child is already able to learn many things such as language and how to act in a good way. From this moment parents have to teach him how to start speaking and acting in an appropriate way. As a result, once at school, he will know using a good vocabulary and for example, that hitting others classmates is not a good thing to do. Also, once entered at school parents have to continue to teach their child what are the good manners to adopt. For example, if the teachers do not stop to repeat those bad words are banned and absolutely not nice to use and that once gets home, the children hear many of them from his/her parents. He will be completely lost and do not understand what is wrong and what is not. The school has been instituted to teach children how to grow up in a good way, develop their inspirations and start living in a community with other students.
To conclude, I agree that school possesses an important role in children integration. A child is going to reproduce, mimic and repeat his parents' behaviour first. Sometimes he is even going to choose of his parents as models. Which little girl has never fallen in love with her father and tries to mimic him? I truly believe that school and family have to work together to allow to the child to get the best education.
[by - Justine Dhuicq ]
Model Essay Answer 8:
We have been developing our personality throughout our entire life, yet the crucial time to mould our characteristic could happen at a rather young age. Some believe it is our families that define who we will become while others argue that it is the school’s utmost responsibility to teach us morality and to give us guidance. In my own perception, I am more positive with the former.
The family is the first environment that we immersed ourselves in ever since we were born. The behaviour our parents deliver and the value they convey certainly have a colossal impact on our personality. It is also a vital process for a parent to teach their child the righteous perspective toward society at the very beginning. It is like creating a masterpiece on a pure canvas before it is contaminated.
For people who believe that school should be the right place to educate students into obtaining the correct attitude of their lives and having the decent morality to become a good member of our society, they put their faith in the teachers. Teachers provide standard expectations that our society has for its members, offering knowledge and ideas with less bias and less possibility of deviation from the student. It is also essential for young children to meet other people, their classmates that are from various backgrounds, in order to help cultivate their ability to cherish and respect diversity.
In conclusion, both points of views have their own dispute, yet for me, trying to build a child’s characteristic until they are already studying in schools seems to be a little too slow. Many values could have been buried deep in our mind. Thus, I believe it’s our family that should play the important role for this rather than the school afterwards.
[by - Chen Emma ]
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
In today’s world, social interactions and being a good member of society is crucial in our life. Some people see that directing offsprings to participate and being good members of society is something that should be ensured by the parent’s, while another camp believes that it is a school’s task. Let us examine both views, but personally, I am more inclined to the notion that schools are good places for children to learn it.
To begin with, assigning parents to teach their children to be ideal members of society is supported by some people. To cite an example, parents may guide their children on how to assist poor people by providing them with food and clothing. This will not only show how parents take a lead to guide their children but also create a sense of positivity in society. Parents are the first friends of their toddlers thus they can help them upskill the important aspects of a good member of society.
On the other hand, many believe school plays an even more important role in a child’s life. For instance, a school should teach children the role of society in their lives. Thus, children should be given practical experiences about how to keep their areas neat and tidy. The teachers on behalf of the school have an immense role to instruct students on their responsibilitie s. Finally, the curriculum and textbooks should include such topics to create awareness among the students.
To elucidate, schools should take this task on their shoulders as children spend most of their daytime and approximately more than half of their life’s guidance is done on school premises. Thus, making children aware of the role of societies in their early childhood will create a major impact not only on their livelihood but also on their future.
Proponents of the former view may opine that school is the place where children first meet and adapt to society. When a child starts going to school at an early age, it is his first exposure to the outer society. As a result, it is a must for him to learn how to adjust to this exposure. For instance, he or she will learn how to make friends, respect the older, be helpful, and attain teamwork skills. In the same context for instance, if a child takes school from home, he or she would lack these skills, accordingly, he or she may become an introverted type of person.
However, parents are children's closest and most trustworthy companions. With parents' affection, love and care, children become proper persons in life. Since children tend to strongly emulate their parents, it is quite natural that they will learn the most important life lessons from them. For example, if a child witnesses that his or her father gives charity to needy people, acts gently to others, or works hard, it would have a great impact on the child, and he or she would most probably take these attitudes later in life. As a result, parents' way of dealing with society will, no doubt, affect their children to a great extent.
In conclusion, it is undeniably true that school is an important chapter in a child's life, but parents' role, is more crucial and have stronger impacts on children on how they learn values and what they become as grown-ups.
Firstly, it is very obvious that the home environment affects a child's nourishment to a great extent. Parents attitude towards society has a great impact on a child's behaviour. Parents positivity gets transferred to children. Secondly, parents are responsible for their kids nurturing and children spend most of their time with their parents at the age of learning. So the parents should teach them moralities. Thirdly, children understand their parents more quickly than anyone else so they should fulfil their responsibility and handle them carefully.
Now I would like to move toward the second idea that makes schools responsible for children's character building and teaching. Firstly, it is well-known that a teacher is a virtual father. Parents bring a child to this world, but a teacher is the one who polishes the abilities of a child. Secondly, schools are a place that is a way of making someone to be disciplined. Schools teach them manners and teach them how to distinguish between wrong and right.
I would like to conclude by saying that both the schools and parents play an important role in the nourishment of kids and they both are important to make them great citizens in society.
Report