It is important for children to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age. Punishment is necessary to help them learn this distinction. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion? What sort of punishment should parents and teachers be allowed to use to teach good behaviour to children?

Children
should be educated about the difference between right and wrong at an early age, but there is considerable dispute about which method is most effective for
this
purpose.
While
some people believe
punishment
is essential to teach
children
about moral
behaviour
, I disagree with
this
statement. It is undeniable that early moral education is crucial. Moral lessons form the foundation of societal standards and prevent negative attitudes and criminal activities. Early education on right and wrong sets the foundation for a child’s moral compass, guiding their future
behaviour
to fulfil society's criteria. Moral values instilled through early education help
children
understand social norms and values, enabling them to integrate into society and build healthy relationships.
Moreover
, addressing behavioural issues early can prevent the development of more serious issues later in life.
For example
, teaching
children
the consequences of their actions on others helps develop empathy and social awareness.
In contrast
, there are many persuasive arguments against corporal
punishment
.
Initially
, it is undeniable that physical
punishment
has adverse psychological and emotional effects, which are likely to impact
children
in the long term and generate lasting psychological issues.
For instance
, physical
punishment
can damage a child's self-esteem and sense of self-worth, leading to long-term psychological problems.
Consequently
,
children
who experience physical
punishment
are more likely to exhibit aggressive
behaviour
and use violence to solve problems.
Additionally
,
although
physical
punishment
may result in immediate compliance, it does not teach
children
the underlying reasons for good
behaviour
.
Hence
,
children
may repeat the same mistakes.
On the other hand
, there are effective non-violent methods to educate
children
.
Firstly
, parents could encourage their
children
to engage in discussions related to their mistakes, allowing parents to explain the underlying reasons for the errors and discuss how to avoid them in the future.
Secondly
, parents should allow
children
to experience the natural consequences of their actions, which helps them learn responsibility. Positive reinforcement,
such
as recognizing and rewarding good
behaviour
with praise, can motivate
children
to continue behaving well and make better choices.
To conclude
, though it is important for
children
to learn the difference between right and wrong at an early age, the use of
punishment
, especially corporal
punishment
, is not the best approach. The potential psychological and emotional harm it can cause far outweighs any perceived benefits. Non-violent methods, including engaging in open discussions, allowing natural consequences, and using positive reinforcement, offer more effective and beneficial ways to teach good
behaviour
and foster
children
’s development.
Submitted by lenam2k1 on

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

coherence cohesion
Ensure each paragraph seamlessly transitions to the next to enhance coherence and make your argument more fluid.
task achievement
Provide more specific examples and evidence to back up your points, especially in terms of non-violent disciplinary methods.
coherence cohesion
Well-structured introduction and conclusion, providing a strong frame for your argument.
task achievement
Extensive coverage of the topic and clear stance stated with strong supporting points.
task achievement
Effective use of vocabulary and variety of sentence structures, demonstrating good command of language.

Word Count

IELTS says that you should write a minimum of 250 words in writing task 2. If you go under word count you will lose marks in task response.

A very long essay will not give you a higher band score.

Aim for between 260 to 290 words in writing task 2. This will ensure a concise essay and will be realistic in terms of time management. You have only 40 minutes to write the essay and you need around 10 minutes of planning time, so you will not be able to write a long essay in 30 minutes.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »— a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Topic Vocabulary:
  • punishment
  • positive reinforcement
  • consequences
  • time-outs
  • removal of privileges
  • open communication
  • clear expectations
  • consistency
  • fairness
  • disciplinary action
  • proportionate
  • moral values
  • internalization
What to do next:
Look at other essays: