In some cultures, children are often told they can achieve anything if they try hard enough. What are the advantages and disadvantages of giving children this message?

In some countries, children are taught that hard
work
will help them achieve their goals. In my opinion,
this
message can inspire and motivate them to overcome hardships, but at the same time, it can cause delusion and disappointment. On the one hand, teaching children that hard
work
can guarantee
success
has several advantages. To start with,
this
message can motivate children, especially those who believe that innate talents determine
success
.
For example
, when learning a
second
language, which is a challenging and time- consuming process, children need to truly understand that hard
work
, and not talents, is conducive to enhancing proficiency. That way, they could stay motivated and keep on learning when they encounter setbacks. More importantly, the role of valuing hard
work
goes beyond being a mere source of motivation. It can
also
help children to develop a positive
mentality
Suggestion
mental
and improve their resilience, all of which are necessary for their adult life.
On the other hand
, the biggest disadvantage of the notion that diligence ensures
success
is that it may mislead children into spending too much time and effort on the tasks in which hard
work
plays little role.
For example
, a child wanting to be a professional singer may waste time on voice training without considering their lack of musical talents but still hope that they may achieve
success
one day.
Similarly
, most painters need to have a great and unique sense of aesthetics, which is considered as a rare talent and
therefore
cannot be acquired through hard
work
. Believing that hard
work
alone is enough can breed frustration, delusion, or even mental illness. In conclusion, teaching children that hard
work
will always result in
success
is a great way to motivate them through hardships.
Nevertheless
,
such
teaching may produce undesirable outcomes in situations where hard
work
is not the key.
Submitted by Surasak Phetmanee on

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You are not ready for IELTS Speaking, if you

  • Can’t speak smoothly without pauses.
  • Use simple words and lack vocabulary.
  • Feel nervous and anxious when speaking.
Topic Vocabulary:
  • achieve
  • try hard
  • positive mindset
  • self-belief
  • motivates
  • ambitious goals
  • resilience
  • determination
  • confidence
  • self-esteem
  • growth mindset
  • unrealistic expectations
  • disappointment
  • failure
  • effort
  • hard work
  • seek support
  • individual differences
  • abilities
  • capabilities
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