As social norms and family values evolve, children are being granted more freedom than ever before, especially in progressive countries such as France and Germany. While this trend encourages personal growth and character development, I believe that its negative effects should be taken more seriously.
Proponents of giving children personal autonomy cite various reasons to support their stance. They argue that when kids are allowed to behave freely, they are more likely to explore their interests, delve into their passions, and discover new talents, which helps them develop their skills and abilities. As a result, they can not only grow more independent and self-reliant, but also boost their confidence and self-esteem, potentially accelerating their maturity and improving their mental health. In a world where younger generations often rely too heavily on external validation and parental support instead of making independent decisions and taking risks, receiving more freedom makes a big difference in their skill enhancement and character formation.
However, in my view, granting youths complete freedom does more harm than good, particularly when it comes to their holistic development. Because of their immaturity, carelessness, and lack of experience, young people tend to abuse their freedom, prioritizing instant gratification and entertainment over academic achievement, physical health, and self-improvement. If children are allowed to do whatever they want, unproductive and even unhealthy activities like playing casual video games, binge-watching TV shows, and scrolling through social media feeds might take up most of their time and energy, diverting their attention away from educational responsibilities and athletic pursuits. At a time when many children already struggle with school problems such as low grades and poor exam results, as well as chronic health conditions such as obesity and diabetes, allowing them to live freely might perpetuate a vicious cycle of irresponsibility and unhealthy behavior, thereby deepening existing academic and health crises.
In conclusion, although providing a child with greater freedom helps them build their character and grow as a person, I maintain that it harms their overall development. Only by supervising and guiding younger generations can we ensure they thrive academically, physically, and holistically.