While some people argue that family has a greater impact on the development of the younger generation, others believe that external influences such as friends, television, or music are the most influential ones. This essay will discuss both perspectives before proposing my own opinion that family still plays a pivotal role in a child’s development.
On the one side of the debate, advocates for family often argue that family shapes a child’s value from an early age. By living under the same roof, parents can spend their quality time teaching their children about basic morals and social behavior during the early years. For instance, the ethical principles such as honesty, responsibility, and discipline are usually moulded at home. Thus, those moralities can be instilled in children’s minds and often remain throughout life. Moreover, parents also act as role models of their children. Youngsters tend to observe and imitate their fathers and mothers’ behaviors, which can be shown through their attitudes toward education, work, and relationships. As a result, a child’s lifestyle and mindset may be gradually shaped in the same pattern over time.
On the other side of the debate, there are several reasons why other factors have a stronger impact on offspring. It is undeniable that friends will become more influential during adolescence. Teenagers may spend a lot of time with peers, and as in the time when the acceptance from friends is something they usually seek for, they may adopt their friends’ fashion styles, hobbies, or study habits. In addition, with the emergence of many social media and technological advancements, constant access to information can be provided to children, even if it is not the appropriate time to consume some content. Therefore, many young people can follow and even immerse in fitness, beauty, or lifestyle trends promoted online.
In conclusion, although peers, television and social media can significantly affect children’s attitudes and behavior, I believe that family exerts considerable influence on a child as it provides the earliest and most
fundamental lessons that lay the foundation for an individual’s character in the long term.