On one hand, some people perceive that parents must in charge of deciding their children’s leisure activities. On the other hand, others believe that parents should give freedom to their children in choosing leisure activities. In this essay, I will elaborate on these views and give my opinion.
Regarding the first view, parents must play a significant role in shaping children’s leisure activities because they have more knowledges and experiences compared to their children. It means that parents know what kind of activities that will be beneficial for their children in the future based on their experience. Besides that, children have not fully develop their rational thinking and decision-making skill. Thus, children still need assistance from their parents to decide what kind of leisure activities that suit them better.
In relation to another view, parents should give opportunities to their children in deciding leisure activities, considering that every children may have their own interests and passions. Children usually realize their innate abilities and can decide what kind of leisure activities that match them well. Moreover, some scientists have proven that spending children’s leisure time by doing their favorite activities may lead to an increase in happiness level. On the other hand, pushing the children to engage in a particular activities may cause stress and burnout. Thus, parents are suggested to play complementary role by providing financial and mental support for their children rather than controlling their children’s leisure activities.
In conclusion, I strongly support that children must be given opportunities in choosing leisure activities because most of them can identify leisure activities that they like. Engaging in leisure activities that they like may positively affect their mental health. Meanwhile, children may face stress and burnout if the parents tend to overcontrol their leisure activities.