It is true that social skills play a vital role in children’s development. While some people argue that parents should be responsible for teaching children how to become good members of society, others believe that this duty belongs to schools. This essay will discuss both perspectives and explain why I support the idea that schools have a greater role in this process.
On the one hand, supporters of the first view think that parents are the primary influence on a child’s social behaviour. From birth, children naturally imitate their parents’ actions, language, and manners. Therefore, if parents communicate kindly, show respect, and interact confidently, their children are likely to adopt the same patterns. For example, in my early childhood I found it easy to start conversations with others, and I believe this happened because my parents always talked to me patiently and encouraged me to express myself, despite their busy schedules.
On the other hand, many argue that school is the most effective environment for learning social skills. At school, children interact not only with classmates but also with teachers and peers outside the classroom, which provides countless opportunities to practise communication and cooperation. Additionally, school life involves facing various challenges, such as group work, misunderstandings, or academic pressure, all of which help children learn how to solve problems and communicate in a mature way. I remember that in 7th grade I was falling behind academically due to sports competitions. My teacher confronted me about my unfinished homework, and I had to explain my situation clearly. This conversation helped us reach an understanding and significantly improved my confidence in communicating with adults.
In conclusion, although parents play an essential role in shaping their children’s social behaviour, I firmly believe that schools offer a broader and more practical environment for developing these skills. A balanced approach, where both parents and schools contribute, is likely to be the most beneficial for children’s social growth.