The impact of parenting styles on childhood development is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared frequently in past examinations and is likely to remain relevant in future tests due to its societal significance. Based on historical data from reputable IELTS preparation websites, we can predict that questions related to parenting styles and child development will continue to be featured in upcoming exams.
Let’s examine a sample question that closely resembles those encountered in actual IELTS tests:
Some people believe that parents should be strict with their children, while others think children should be allowed to grow up freely. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question requires candidates to:
- Discuss the viewpoint of strict parenting
- Explore the perspective of allowing children more freedom
- Provide a personal opinion on the matter
It’s crucial to address all three aspects in your response to achieve a high band score.
The influence of parenting styles on child development is a complex topic that requires careful consideration. Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality to understand how to approach this question effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8)
The debate over parenting styles and their impact on child development has long been a topic of discussion. While some advocate for strict parenting, others believe in allowing children more freedom. This essay will examine both perspectives and argue that a balanced approach is most beneficial for a child’s growth.
Proponents of strict parenting argue that discipline and structure are essential for a child’s development. They believe that setting clear rules and expectations teaches children important values such as responsibility, respect, and self-discipline. Strict parents often emphasize academic achievement and obedience, which can lead to children who are well-behaved and academically successful. For instance, in many Asian cultures where strict parenting is common, children often excel in school and demonstrate high levels of respect for authority.
On the other hand, those who support a more lenient approach argue that allowing children freedom fosters creativity, independence, and critical thinking skills. They contend that overly strict parenting can stifle a child’s natural curiosity and ability to learn from their own experiences. Advocates of this style believe that children who are given more autonomy develop better problem-solving skills and emotional intelligence. For example, in Scandinavian countries where parenting tends to be more relaxed, children often display high levels of self-confidence and innovation.
In my opinion, the most effective parenting style strikes a balance between these two approaches. While structure and discipline are important, they should be tempered with flexibility and understanding. Parents should set clear boundaries while also encouraging their children’s independence and creativity. This balanced approach allows children to develop a strong sense of responsibility while also fostering their unique talents and personalities.
In conclusion, while strict parenting and free-range parenting both have their merits, a balanced approach that combines elements of both styles is likely to yield the best outcomes for child development. By providing structure and guidance while also allowing for independence and creativity, parents can help their children grow into well-rounded, confident, and successful individuals.
Parenting styles and their impact on child development
Explanation of Band 8 Score
This essay achieves a Band 8 score for several reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately, demonstrating flexibility in formulating ideas in different ways.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a wide range of grammatical structures used accurately and appropriately.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 7)
There is ongoing debate about whether parents should be strict with their children or allow them to grow up freely. This essay will discuss both viewpoints and provide my personal opinion on the matter.
Those who believe in strict parenting argue that it helps children develop discipline and respect for rules. Strict parents often set clear expectations and consequences for their children’s behavior, which can lead to better academic performance and social skills. For example, children raised in strict households may be more likely to complete their homework on time and show respect to their teachers and elders.
On the other hand, supporters of a more relaxed parenting style believe that allowing children freedom helps them develop creativity and independence. They argue that children need space to explore and make mistakes in order to learn valuable life lessons. This approach may result in children who are more confident in expressing their ideas and solving problems on their own.
In my opinion, a balanced approach that combines elements of both strict and lenient parenting is the most effective. Parents should provide structure and guidance while also allowing their children some freedom to make decisions and learn from their experiences. This balanced style can help children develop both discipline and creativity, preparing them for the challenges of adulthood.
In conclusion, while both strict and lenient parenting styles have their advantages, I believe that a middle ground approach is the most beneficial for a child’s development. By combining discipline with freedom, parents can help their children grow into well-rounded individuals.
Explanation of Band 7 Score
This essay achieves a Band 7 score for the following reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, though with less depth and detail than the Band 8 essay.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8 essay.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary used is appropriate and accurate, but less varied than in the Band 8 essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay demonstrates good control of grammar and punctuation, but with less variety in sentence structures compared to the Band 8 essay.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 6)
Some people think parents should be strict, but others think children should grow up freely. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Strict parents make rules for their children. They think this is good because children learn to follow rules and be disciplined. For example, strict parents may make their children do homework every day and not watch TV until it’s finished. This can help children do well in school.
But other people think children should be free. They say this helps children be creative and learn to think for themselves. If children are always told what to do, they might not learn to make their own decisions. For example, children who are allowed to play freely might come up with new games or ideas.
I think both ways have good points. Being too strict can make children unhappy, but being too free can make them badly behaved. Maybe the best way is to be in the middle. Parents should have some rules but also let children make some choices.
In conclusion, strict parenting and free parenting both have good and bad points. I think the best way is to use a mix of both styles to help children grow up well.
Explanation of Band 6 Score
This essay achieves a Band 6 score for the following reasons:
Task Achievement: The essay addresses the task, but the ideas are not fully developed and the writer’s opinion is not clearly expressed.
Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a basic structure, but paragraphing and cohesive devices are limited.
Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but lacks variety and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses simple sentence structures accurately but lacks variety. There are some errors, but they do not impede communication.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Parenting styles (noun) – /ˈpeərəntɪŋ staɪlz/ – Different approaches to raising children
- Authoritarian (adjective) – /ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən/ – Strict and demanding obedience
- Permissive (adjective) – /pəˈmɪsɪv/ – Allowing or characterized by great freedom
- Balanced approach (noun phrase) – /ˈbælənst əˈprəʊtʃ/ – A method that combines different elements
- Discipline (noun) – /ˈdɪsəplɪn/ – Training to obey rules or a code of behavior
- Autonomy (noun) – /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – Freedom from external control or influence
- Emotional intelligence (noun phrase) – /ɪˈməʊʃənl ɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/ – The capacity to be aware of and manage one’s emotions
- Self-confidence (noun) – /self ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ – A feeling of trust in one’s abilities, qualities, and judgment
- Well-rounded (adjective) – /wel ˈraʊndɪd/ – Having a personality that is fully developed in all aspects
- Critical thinking (noun phrase) – /ˈkrɪtɪkl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/ – The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue to form a judgment
In conclusion, the topic of parenting styles and their impact on child development is a complex and frequently tested subject in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the different approaches to this topic and practicing with sample essays of varying quality, you can improve your ability to craft well-structured, coherent responses that address all aspects of the question.
The influence of parenting styles on child development is a topic that may appear in future IELTS exams in various forms. Some potential questions you might encounter include:
- “Some people believe that children should be raised with strict discipline, while others argue for a more relaxed approach. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
- “To what extent do you agree or disagree that parenting styles have a significant impact on a child’s future success?”
- “Compare the advantages and disadvantages of authoritarian and permissive parenting styles.”
To further enhance your IELTS Writing skills, we encourage you to practice writing essays on these topics and share them in the comments section below. This active practice will help you internalize the structures and vocabulary needed for high-scoring IELTS essays.