SAMPLE 7.0 + TASK 2 - INFLUENCE

It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a child’s development are media, pop culture and friends. A different point of view is that parents plays the most significant role. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

It is considered by some that the media and peers substantially influence children's growth, while there are others who think that it is the parents who have a more critical impact on their offspring. In this essay, I am going to discuss both these points of view and then explain why I believe that the latter has stronger arguments. 

Some state that factors such as popular culture and friends usually shape a child's character. In other words, children tend to be affected by the behaviors of their celebrity idols or their friends' personalities while they work or play in groups. A clear example of this is, in most cases, youngsters often dress and talk like their favorite actors and singers, or act and think the same way as their schoolmates. Moreover, other factors, such as video games or comics, often prompt children to want things related to their iconic fictional characters. For example, little ones usually demand toys that they see on television.

On the other hand, others believe that as early as infancy, parents have already attributed certain principles and ideas to their children. This can be explained because parents seem to be the ones who are regularly present in the child's life at this stage. To illustrate, a child's basic values, such as integrity or religious belief, are mostly influenced by their parents. Another reason is, youngsters will be more likely to seek their parents' guidance, support, and opinions, which are aspects that strongly form their attitudes and habits. In particular, the way parents teach their children about setting boundaries can help them become much more responsible.

In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I feel that it is the parents who have the most influence on the personality and intellectual development of their children. This is because they are usually the ones who lay the foundation of their child's beliefs and individuality from a very young age.

(325 words)

IELTS Khang Tran.