Some parents believe that children need strict rules. Other parents believe children should have a lot of freedom to make decisions on their own. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Establishing rules with children can be complicated. Young children look to their parents for security and order, and rules are one important way they acquire

this

sense.

However

, as they mature, young people need room to make decisions so they can develop an independent sense of responsibility towards themselves and others. For

this

reason, I believe that while children need clear and consistently enforced rules, they should not be restricted so severely that they have very few opportunities to think independently. Most children are subjected to rules they dislike.

However

, when the purpose of a rule is communicated clearly and the parents’ enforcement is fair and consistent, a rule can help children to learn how to take on responsibility and

act

appropriately.

For example

, at a certain age, very young kids are capable of cleaning up their own messes, but often they must be told to do so. The

child

must be taught, through rules and repetition, that taking responsibility for one’s own messes is important. As another example, many teenagers don’t always think through the consequences of their actions fully before they

act

. Indeed, brain research has shown that teenagers are more likely to

act

impulsively because their brains are wired to do so.

This

is why parents should be very firm about rules that prevent risky or

otherwise

negative

behaviors

manner of acting or controlling yourself

behaviours

.

Nevertheless

, parents should not be overbearing. The goal of parenting should be to prepare a

child

to make independent choices that will lead to a happy and fulfilling life. The best way to achieve

this

goal is to grant more and more freedom as the

child

progresses towards adulthood.

For example

, at some point a

child

must learn to take school work seriously and help out around the house. The ultimate goal is for the

child

to internalize the desire to be a good student and a helpful housemate. If parents fail to demonstrate trust by allowing some freedom for their children to try (and sometimes fail) to do the right things independently, it is likely that the

child

will

act

out against

strict rules

Suggestion

the strict rules

rather than internalize them. Of course, every

child

will respond to rules differently.

This

is yet another reason why it’s important for parents to find appropriate balance. While parents should enforce rules with consistency and clarity, they should constantly seek opportunities for a

child

to show that he or she can

act

the right way independently.