Some People Believe that Allowing Children to Make their Own Choices on Everyday Matters – IELTS Writing Task 2

The Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module can be a difficult task for many IELTS Aspirants. Thus, it is vital that you polish your essay writing skills before attempting the IELTS.

Below is a sample IELTS Essay for the IELTS Essay topic:

Some people believe that allowing children to make their own choices on everyday matters (such as food, clothes and entertainment) is likely to result in a society of individuals who only think about their own wishes. Other people believe that it is important for children to make decisions about matters that affect them. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Outline

Essay Type

Discussion Essay

Introduction

Sentences 1, 2 & 3: Introduce the given topic about allowing children to make their own decision. 

Sentence 4-  Different points of view will be discussed to reach a decision.

Body Paragraphs 

Paragraphs 1 – To let a child or young person make decisions is an important step to build his character. It develops the individual’s decision-making abilities as well as prepares him/her for the future. Being selfish depends on other factors. 

Paragraph 2 – Some children are diverted or become sick if they are allowed to make wrong decisions.

Conclusion 

Sum up and state your opinion.

Sample Essay

Freedom is always a matter of controversy as there is no particular rule or limit to it. Each person has their own definition of freedom. In a similar way, allowing young children to make their own decisions on basic matters has brought up different views from different groups of people. In this essay, different avenues on the given topic will be explored to help us decide on the amount of freedom children should be given without hampering their personality.

It is a common belief that to make one strong, one should be allowed to take their own decisions and fight their fears, even if they do not succeed in the end. In the same way, in the developing years of a child, he/she should be allowed to make decisions, even if they are minor ones, like clothes, food, entertainment. If their decision-making qualities are cultivated from an early age, they will become independent individuals when they grow up. But, some people think that the trait of individuality is synonymous with being selfish or caring less about other individuals. This is because they tend to generalize the concept that if one takes own decisions without taking others into consideration, it is selfishness. Being self-centered has nothing to do with making own decisions from a young age. They can be egotistical for different reasons like pampering, lack of guidance, dearth of awareness between right and wrong, among others. 

In some cases, young children tend to get used to making decisions on their own and get diverted in the process. For example, a child is allowed to eat junk food all the time and spend his time idling with friends. If he continues to do this on his own, after a certain time, his health might be affected, or he might end up with wrong ‘friends’. As they grow up, they are accustomed to the idea that as it is their life, all decisions should be theirs alone. This might make them impervious to the needs of others or their needs before others.

To conclude, I would like to say that the role of the parents or elders is extremely crucial in the development of decision-making and the amiable personality of an individual. If the child is not properly guided at home, he/she can become narrow-minded. So, it is the close relatives who can mentor the young generation to grow on their own and at the same time instill a sense of responsibility and help them understand the difference between right and wrong. It will not only help them in the long run but also create a better society for everyone.

Vocabulary

• Controversy

Meaning: a lot of discussion and argument about something, often involving strong feelings of anger or disapproval
Eg: The dress she wore to the party created controversy among the communities.

• Avenue

Meaning: a way of approaching a problem or making progress towards something
Eg: She can explore the different avenues in the field of astronomy.

• Hampering

Meaning: to prevent someone from doing something easily
Eg: The heavy rain is hampering the crops. 

• Minor

Meaning: something that is smaller or less important
Eg: “Please make minor changes in the document and forward it to the manager.”

• Trait

Meaning: a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has
Eg: Having red hair is a predominant trait in the women of the Skarvoksy family.

• Generalize

Meaning: make a general statement about people or things; apply fact to a larger number of facts
Eg: The Professor generalized the theory.

• Pampering

Meaning: to treat with too much kindness and attention
Eg: Too much pampering by the parents made the only child selfish.

• Dearth

Meaning: an amount of something that is too small: a lack
Eg: There was a dearth of food and water during the plague that struck the village.

• Amiable

Meaning: having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner
Eg: The nurse was an amiable person and so everyone loved her. 

• Instill

Meaning: to put a feeling, idea, or principle gradually into someone’s mind, so that it has a strong influence on the way
Eg: We should instill values in our children from a young age. 

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

• Creative Artist Should Always Be Given The Freedom to Express their Own Ideas 
• As Well as Making Money, Businesses Should Also Have Social Responsibilities
• Children Can Learn Effectively by Watching Television
• With Deforestation, Urban Development and Illegal Hunting, Many Animal Species are Becoming Endangered as They Lose Their Habitat 
• With The Increased Global Demand in Oil and Gas, Undiscovered Areas of the World Should be Opened Up to Access More Resources