IELTS Writing Task 2: Whole Family Raising Children
It is better for children if the whole family including aunts, uncles and so on are involved in a child’s upbringing, rather than just their parents.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Many today feel that is important for the entire extended family to play a role in child-rearing, while others feel that parents are sufficient. In my opinion, the whole family should be part of the process.
Those who doubt the value of the whole family in raising children often point out the potentially negative influence of particular relatives. In an ideal world, each family member would impart their own unique, mature perspectives in the interests of raising a well-rounded child. In practice, many relatives are more likely to serve as bad examples or contradict the efforts of the parents. The best case scenario with such individuals is confusion and in more extreme cases it could lead to developmental problems. There is even the possibility that a close relative is engaging in physical or mental abuse of a child without the parent’s awareness.
Nonetheless, the instances above are exceptions that can be dealt with on a case-by-case basis; in most families extra help lessens the burden on parents. A good example of this would be in countries with very tight-knit families such as in Asia and South America. There it is very common for aunts, uncles and the extended family to lend a hand with raising children. The main benefits of this are for parents and children. Parents get a much needed break from looking after their kids. Children benefit from the undivided attention of their relatives. When they come back home, their mother and father are also more likely to feel recharged and fully engaged in parenting duties having had some time to themselves.
In conclusion, though there are rare situations where the whole family raising a child can be a negative, it is important for parents to receive support from relatives. Parents should strive to have this familial environment in order to raise well-adjusted adults.
VOCABULARY
- entire extended family uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.
- play a role help with
- child-rearing raising a child
- sufficient enough
- whole family entire family
- part of the process play a role in
- doubt question
- value believe to be important
- point out argue
- potentially negative influence possibly hurt
- particular relatives certain family members
- in an ideal world in a perfect world
- impart give/influence
- unique individual
- mature perspectives adult views
- the interests of for others
- well-rounded child kid with diverse interests
- in practice in reality
- serve as bad examples not good examples
- contradict go against
- efforts attempts
- best case scenario the dream situation
- confusion misunderstanding
- more extreme cases worst case scenarios
- developmental problems mental issues
- possibility chance
- close relative family member that knows them well
- engaging in physical or mental abuse hurting, neglecting, abusing
- without the parent’s awareness the mother/father not knowing
- nonetheless regardless
- exceptions cases outside the norm
- dealt with handled
- case-by-case basis situation to situation
- lessens the burden on parents helps parents get by
- tight-knit families close families
- lend a hand help out
- much needed break required rest
- looking after taking care of
- benefit for the good of
- undivided attention not distracted
- recharged re-energised
- engaged paying attention
- parenting duties responsibilities
- time to themselves personal time
- rare situations some cases
- receive support get help
- strive try hard
- familial environment family situation
- well-adjusted adults normal people
