The topic of parental responsibility for children’s criminal behavior has appeared multiple times in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, particularly during 2018-2023. Based on analysis of past papers, this theme typically emerges in agreement/disagreement or discussion essay formats. Let’s examine one frequently tested question:
Some people believe that parents should be held legally responsible when their teenage children commit crimes. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Parents being held responsible for teenage crimes
Question Analysis
- Topic: Legal responsibility of parents for teenage crimes
- Task: Agree/Disagree
- Key elements to address:
- Parental responsibility
- Teenage criminal behavior
- Legal implications
- Effectiveness of punishment
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
While some advocate holding parents legally accountable for their teenagers’ criminal activities, I strongly disagree with this approach as it oversimplifies the complex nature of juvenile delinquency and could lead to unfair consequences.
Parents certainly play a crucial role in shaping their children’s behavior through upbringing and guidance. However, teenagers are increasingly influenced by various external factors beyond parental control. Peer pressure, social media, and broader societal influences often have a more immediate impact on adolescent behavior than parental guidance. For instance, a well-raised teenager might still engage in criminal activity due to negative peer influences or mental health issues, despite having responsible and attentive parents.
Moreover, legally punishing parents for their children’s crimes could create significant social and legal complications. This approach might disproportionately affect single-parent households or families facing socioeconomic challenges, who may already struggle with childcare and supervision. Furthermore, it could strain parent-child relationships and potentially discourage parents from reporting their children’s criminal activities, fearing legal consequences for themselves.
Instead of punishing parents, a more effective approach would be to strengthen support systems for both troubled youth and their families. This could include mandatory counseling, rehabilitation programs, and community support initiatives that address the root causes of juvenile delinquency. Such measures would be more likely to prevent future crimes and promote positive behavioral change than simply transferring legal responsibility to parents.
In conclusion, while parents should be encouraged to take an active role in preventing their children’s criminal behavior, holding them legally responsible is neither fair nor effective. The focus should instead be on developing comprehensive support systems that help both young offenders and their families address underlying issues.
Support programs for juvenile delinquents and families
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
In modern society, teenage crime is becoming a serious problem. Some people think parents should be punished when their teenage children commit crimes. I disagree with this idea for several reasons.
First, teenagers are old enough to know right from wrong. When they choose to commit crimes, it is their own decision. Many teenagers from good families still do bad things because of their friends or personal problems. For example, a teenager might steal something from a shop because their friends pressure them, not because their parents taught them to steal.
Second, parents cannot control everything their teenage children do. Most parents work during the day and cannot watch their children all the time. Also, teenagers spend more time at school and with friends than at home. It is not fair to blame parents for things that happen when they are not present.
However, parents should help when their children get into trouble. They should attend court meetings and support their children through counseling or rehabilitation programs. This is better than punishing parents who might be trying their best to raise their children well.
In conclusion, I believe that punishing parents for their teenagers’ crimes is not the right solution. Instead, we should focus on helping young people make better choices and supporting families when problems occur.
Band Score Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay:
- Task Response: Clear position with fully developed arguments
- Coherence & Cohesion: Logical organization with effective paragraphing
- Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary with natural usage
- Grammar: Complex structures used accurately
Band 6.5 Essay:
- Task Response: Clear position but simpler arguments
- Coherence & Cohesion: Basic organization with some paragraph linking
- Lexical Resource: Adequate vocabulary with some repetition
- Grammar: Mix of simple and complex structures with some errors
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- juvenile delinquency (n) /ˈdʒuːvənaɪl dɪˈlɪŋkwənsi/ – criminal behavior among young people
- accountability (n) /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – responsibility for actions
- rehabilitation (n) /ˌriːəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/ – process of restoring someone to normal life
- disproportionately (adv) /ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli/ – to an unfair degree
- socioeconomic (adj) /ˌsəʊsioʊˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ – relating to social and economic factors
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments. Similar topics might include parental responsibility for children’s education or behavior in school.
