Many People Think that Modern Day Parents are More Over-Protective- IELTS Writing Task 2

Many people think that modern-day parents are more overprotective than parents from the past. To what extent agree or disagree with this view? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion Essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the essay topic and mention the view.

Body Paragraphs

Presently, children are more vulnerable to various social complications.

With the advent of technology and social media, parents have to be cautious about how to handle their children and the various stages of their growth and adolescence.

Conclusion

Summarize the topic and state the final view

Sample Essay

The norms of parenting have drastically evolved over the last few decades. The current generation of parents is an entirely different breed than their predecessors. Today, parents are known to grant their children a certain amount of freedom, which was not the case in the past. However, it is also believed that nowadays, guardians are overprotective of their children. I partially agree with this notion. In the following paragraphs, I will elaborate on the topic and justify my views with relevant instances.

As we know, human society has seen dramatic changes over the past few years. Presently, children are more susceptible to negative influences than previous generations. With the rise of crime and social injustices, it is quite natural for parents to be concerned for the safety of their progeny. Moreover, youngsters are known to face social hurdles even among their peers. Wrongdoings like discrimination and bullying have become commonplace in many schools. Such occurrences have led to a widespread disturbance among parents.

Furthermore, parents of this generation have a more complicated and strenuous task of raising their children, owing to the prevalence of technology and social media. Although social media has enabled humans to become more connected to one another, it has also precipitated numerous unfavourable social complications. A majority of the younger population is known to spend the better part of their day on the Internet. The tendency to follow popular social media trends and subscribe to baseless information floating around on online platforms has seriously deteriorated the mental cognizance of the youth. Thus, it is understandable when parents restrain their children from becoming obsessed with such a lifestyle.

Nevertheless, sometimes parents are known to inhibit their children to an unnecessary degree, especially during adolescence. For example, they do not allow them on school tours or events as they feel their ward may get into unnecessary trouble or become victims to rowdy acts of their peers. Such lack of trust or forced actions only acts as a catalyst for undesirable behaviour.

Finally, parents today are indeed more protective of their offspring than previous generations. However, the social circumstances of the present justify such measures to a great extent.

Vocabulary

• Norms

Meaning: a standard or pattern, especially of social behaviour, that is typical or expected.
Eg: The norms of this particular society were quite straightforward.

• Parenting

Meaning: the activity of bringing up a child as a parent.
Eg: Parenting has always been a difficult task.

• Breed

Meaning: a sort or kind of person or thing.
Eg: This new breed of athletes showed promising performance.

• Dramatic

Meaning: (of an event or circumstance) sudden and striking.
Eg: The dramatic change in his personality was not well received.

• Susceptible

Meaning: likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing.
Eg: Before the COVID-19 vaccine was administered, everyone was more susceptible to the virus.

• Progeny

Meaning: a descendant or the descendants of a person, animal, or plant; offspring.
Eg: The progeny of the royal family is known to be well behaved.

• Strenuous

Meaning: requiring or using great effort or exertion.
Eg: The journey itself was a strenuous task.

• Subscribing

Meaning: express or feel agreement with (an idea or proposal).
Eg: Subscribing to incorrect rumours is common on social media.

• Cognizance

Meaning: knowledge or awareness.
Eg: The cognizance of this particular group of people was admirable.

• Catalyst

Meaning: a person or thing that precipitates an event.
Eg: The minister’s remarks acted as a catalyst for the implementation of new regulations.