The ongoing debate regarding whether children are influenced by their family or from their social environment. I personally think that children are likely to be affected by their parents since they are deeply involved during children’s formative years. This essay will explore both perspectives in detail.
On the one hand, external factors such as media platforms and social circles may influence children to some degree. Firstly, due to the proliferation of the Internet, people from across different age groups are able to access information, both positive and negative, from a wide array of platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. For instance, a famous beauty blogger who reviews makeup products may not only persuade her audience to purchase the products she uses but also to mimic her catchphrases, mannerisms, and personality traits. Secondly, children who interact with those around their age may also imitate their peers’ behaviors. This is because young people have yet to develop their identities, so they adopt certain traits and habits from those near them to feel accepted. For example, I have a classmate who acted her age until she befriended some older kids and started smoking. This highlights adolescents’ tendencies to cave in to peer pressure.
On the other hand, internal factors such as familial interactions affect a child’s development in more dimensions. The main point is parents’ attitudes and beliefs will guide their children. A case in point is religious convictions. Most family members within the same households tend to practice the same religion, especially in more collective societies. In Thailand, for instance, most people believe in Buddhism because their families are also Buddhists. Another major aspect is lifestyles. Just like the saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” people tend to align their habits in terms of hygiene, diets, and exercise with their caretakers’. To illustrate, many Americans are more inclined to buy fast food because of its lower prices, resulting in high obesity rates among children across the country. This emphasizes the fact that children adapt their eating habits from their parents.
In conclusion, after considering both sides of the discussion, I am convinced that families play a bigger role in determining how children carry themselves. Even though the widespread impacts of online platforms and group influence are undeniable, family members dominate individuals’ lives in various aspects, including their mindsets and ways of life.