Opinions are divided on whether a child’s development is primarily shaped by their family or by external influences such as peers and media. While parents undoubtedly play a crucial role in the early stages of life, I would argue that, in contemporary society, external factors exert a more significant and lasting impact.
On the one hand, the family is traditionally regarded as the most influential factor in a child’s upbringing. During their formative years, children spend a large amount of time with their parents, from whom they acquire fundamental values and behavioural patterns, and so those raised in households where kindness, discipline, and responsibility are emphasized are more likely to adopt these traits themselves. Parents are also the ones who establish rules and boundaries that shape a child’s sense of right and wrong, thereby laying the foundation for their moral development. This early influence is essential, as it forms the basis on which other aspects of a child’s character are built.
Nevertheless, external influences have become increasingly dominant in modern life. With many parents occupied by demanding work schedules, children are now more exposed to alternative sources of influence, particularly peers and digital media. Peer groups, for example, can significantly affect behaviour and decision-making, as children often seek social acceptance and validation, sometimes even at the expense of parental guidance. Furthermore, the pervasive presence of social media and online content exposes young people to a wide range of ideas, lifestyles, and values, which can shape their attitudes in profound ways. Unlike parental influence, which may diminish over time, these external factors tend to intensify as children grow older and become more independent.
In conclusion, although the family plays a vital role in shaping a child’s early development, I believe that external influences such as peers and media have a greater overall impact in today’s world due to their increasing presence and enduring effect on young individuals.