You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
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 family plays the most significant role. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

MODEL ANSWER>>>

There exist differences when it comes to the significant factors which affect the development of today’s children. When some believe media, pop culture and friends play this role, others think it is the family. Both the views have their own gravity, and hence a thorough discussion is needed before framing a logical conclusion.

The prime reason why the former group believes so is because of the increasing time children spend with these factors when compared to their family members. Unlike the past, technological influence including media has a greater influence among today’s younger generation as evidenced by their enhanced knowledge about the expert use of gadgets like smartphones and tablets. Even though it helps children to learn new things and occupy themselves in their free-time, often this would result in addiction. A similar effect reflects in them with the other two mentioned factors: pop culture and friends.

By contrast, the latter group focuses family as the key influential factor behind a child’s development because they believe that no other factor other than family members can recognize and supervise a child in a better way. To be precise, the emotional attachment a child has to the family members is superior to any other external factor. Children can express their emotions, interests and needs freely to the family members, especially to their parents, and most of these are addressed judiciously by them. At the same time, parents are also role models to their children. A good role model can influence the child in a positive way, whereas a bad one in a negative way.

After analyzing both views in detail, there is no doubt that the most crucial factor behind the development of a child is his family. However, in today’s world, the role of other factors including media is quite significant.