You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

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 opinion.

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

Write at least 250 words. 

MODEL ANSWER:

It has been a debate for long to decide who is primarily responsible for teaching children to behave as good members in the society. While some believe it is parents’ obligation, others think that it is to be taught at schools. Both the arguments are pivotal in nature, and so a critical assessment is needed before framing a logical conclusion.

The reason behind why the former group believes so is because of the fact that children are exposed to their parents from birth, and the very basics of behaviour is formed at home under parental guidance or supervision. To be clearer, from birth till a child goes to pre-school studies, parents remain the sole teachers and role models from which he can add to his innate behaviour. For example, in families where both the father and the mother have a cordial relationship, most children are seen behaving well in the society, whenever they are exposed to. Similarly, the more time parents spend with children; they can be supervised well and any maladaptive traits can be corrected at the right time.

Nevertheless, the second group thinks that an ideal social relationship is to be taught in the most appropriate environment. To be precise, at school, the child is exposed to a lot of students, who come from various socio-economic backgrounds. In other words, an active miniature society is there in front of a child, and every child is supervised by  teachers, counsellors or by other staff. Group activities, debates, sports and games are some of the positive elements at school to make children socially active, and they can be disciplined in a much controlled circumstance if any signs of misbehaviour stem out.

After analyzing both views in detail, I feel both parents and teachers have their distinct roles in moulding children good citizens in the society as they function in different environments.