Writing for an Academic Discussion Should parents encourage their children to try new things？

Should parents actively encourage their children to try new experiences or let them pursue their interests at their own pace? (sociology)

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        What are the synonyms of “going out of one’s comfort zone”?

2.        What are the advantages and disadvantages of going out of your comfort zone?

3.        Do your parents try to push you out of your comfort zone? Do you think it is good or bad? Why?

 

Note:

1.      Taking a risk, trying something new, embracing challenges, expanding your horizons, pushing boundaries, and facing one’s fears are synonyms of “going out of one’s comfort zone”.

2.      The advantages: Growth of the body and mind, wider perspectives, new relationships, new interests, increased self-confidence, sense of achievement, habit of self-education or self-learning, etc.

The disadvantages: Loss of something important, disorientation, extreme stress and anxiety, risk of failure, exhaustion and burnout, etc.

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.        Spare the rod and spoil the child.

2.        No pain, no gain.

3.        Parent birds stop feeding their babies at some point so that they can learn to feed themselves.

4.        Adventures not only expand opportunities but also cultivate resiliency and help avoid being left behind or miss chances.

5.        Exposing children to as many things as possible make children resourceful and creative in the future.

6.        Children will take self-development for granted and will be less reluctant to become weaned and explore the world by themselves.

 

Disagree

1.        You can take a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

2.        Nothing is hard to a willing mind.

3.        Different strokes for different folks.

4.        Parents’ smothering eagerness may lead to their children’s resentment and less interest in the intended challenge.

 

 

☆Sample Answer for Ideas and Expressions

【Thesis】Although I agree with Noah in that voluntary action of children following their own interest will contribute to their best growth, I agree more with Nadia that careful and well-balanced parental guidance for challenges will facilitate their children’s power to live in the future.

【Supporting Details】Since they have lived longer and have wider perspectives, parents must encourage their children to get out of their children’s room and see the world or challenge themselves. Parents can see what will happen to their children in the future if they keep doing what they are doing or, more importantly, miss doing what they should be doing right now. Failing to provide opportunities for a better future by encouraging their children to challenge themselves is a neglect.

【Counterargument-treatment】Of course, it is out of question to forcibly have children try something new against their will. Children have their own rights to pursue happiness. However, since their knowledge about the world and cognitive ability is not complete yet, adults around them is responsible for providing support, especially when the children are wasting their time and opportunity to develop their ability to the full potential due to ignorance and circumstantial conditions to keep them in a narrow world.

【Conclusion】Parents are usually the only adults that children depend on for navigating life. Thus, they have full responsibility to motivate their children to go beyond their comfort zones and expand their horizons. (230 words)

Write your response in 10 minutes. Show each other your responses. Write down questions or suggestions to each other’s response.

 

 

                                                   DRAFT