Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Classmates are a more important influence than parents on a child’s success in school.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Contrary to popular belief, parents are the most important influence in a child’s education. Classmates have the greatest influence on a child’s education. Parents may be important, but class size, family size, and the proximity of the school to home are more important than parents in determining a child’s success in school. Most people agree that parents are the most important influence in a child’s education. This is true because parents are the ones who give a child his or her first exposure to the school environment; they teach the child the value of education, discipline, and attendance; they set an example of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility, and they instill a love for the school. Furthermore, parents are generally more knowledgeable than the children about school matters. Of course, this is the generally accepted viewpoint. However, I disagree. While parents do have some influence on a child’s education, they are greatly overshadowed by the school environment. Classmates have a much greater influence on a child’s success than parents do.
The first point made by the author that parents are the most important influence is correct. Parents generally know more about the child’s physical, mental, and emotional needs than the child does. Parents often know what the child likes and can tailor their parenting style accordingly. This may not be the case with classmates, however, who have different backgrounds and come from different families. While it is generally true that parents know their children best, they also have their difficulties: when a child misbehaves, many adults are tempted to punish the child harshly instead of seeing the situation from a child’s point of view. This can cause the child to dislike school even more, especially if he or she did not do anything to deserve the punishment. Also, in many cases, children can learn better from each other than they do from their parents, as members of the class can point out flaws in a child’s learning approach or attitude. Hence, even though parents play a role in a child’s education, the influence on a child’s success, as the author states, is greatly outweighed by the role of classmates.
Another factor that the author does not mention is the importance of the school environment. Children who are separated from their parents at an early age tend to develop close friendships with other children. These friendships can last for their entire life, and can affect how the child reacts to certain situations. For example, if a child has a close friend who is struggling academically, the child may put more effort into his or her studies. Without this environment, the child may not experience this sense of camaraderie, and would not feel the need to work harder. Furthermore, children who do not have a close circle of friends may lack a sense of purpose in life. Parents may not have time to devote to cultivating such friendships, while classmates are always together. Finally, the school environment can have a positive effect on a child’s emotional development. Teachers and other members of the faculty are there to guide the students, and to comfort them during difficult times. This sense of security and comfort can be invaluable in a child’s development. For these reasons, the importance of the class environment on a child’s education cannot be understated.
Finally, the author states that family size and the proximity of the school to home can influence a child’s education. While it is true that these factors have a direct impact on a child’s education, this is not the most important factor. Of the three factors mentioned, family size is the most important. Children who attend a school with a large student body may feel overwhelmed, and have problems staying focused and completing assignments. It is also more likely that a child will be bullied if he or she is in a large class. When a child is bullied, he or she is less likely to perform well in school. Furthermore, the child may develop feelings of inadequacy and become depressed. For this reason, large class sizes, along with the lack of parental support, should be the primary concern of school administrators.